What Do I Read Next?
While all of Hardy's novels are well-regarded, Tess of the D’Urbervilles, published in 1891, stands out for its thematic and setting similarities to Return of the Native.
One of the most notable novelists from Hardy's era was George Meredith, recognized for his psychological depth. His 1885 novel, Diana of the Crossways, tells the story of a woman who has an affair and is accused of betraying secrets to her lover.
Margaret Mitchell's 1936 romance, Gone With the Wind, set during the Civil War, is an epic tale of desire and endurance. The novel's protagonist, Scarlett O’Hara, shares many characteristics with Eustacia Vye: she is proud, ambitious, restless, and driven by love.
George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, wrote similarly themed stories about rural English life. Her 1860 novel, The Mill on the Floss, deals with the struggles of a sensitive young woman who faces rejection from her family.
The definitive biography of Thomas Hardy is Martin Seymour-Smith’s Hardy (1994), which provides exhaustive details and comprehensive insights.
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