Two on a Tower: A Romance (Penguin Classics)

by Thomas Hardy (Author), Patricia Ingham (Preface), Sally Shuttleworth (Introduction), Sally Shuttleworth (Editor)

• New

  Paperback
  1999

  $12.65

  TWO ON A TOWER (1882) is a tale of star-crossed love in which Hardy sets the emotional lives of his two lovers against the background of the stellar universe. The unhappily married Lady Constantine breaks all the rules of social decorum when she falls in love with Swithin St. Cleeve, an astronomer who is ten years her junior. Her husband's death leaves the lovers free to marry, but the discovery of a legacy forces them apart. This is Hardy's most complete treatment of the theme of love across the class and age divide and the fullest expression of his fascination with science and astronomy.

• Used

  Paperback
  1993

  $15.02

  Published in 1882, Two on a Tower , Hardy's ninth novel, is his most complete and daring treatment of the theme of love between characters of different classes and ages. Viviette, the married lady of the manor, is nine years older than Swithin St Cleve, the 20-year old Adonis-astronomer , a lad of striking beauty, scientific attainments, and cultivated bearing , the orphaned son of a curate who married the daughter of a family of farmers. The story of their love, both complex and remarkable, involves adultery and accidental polygamy. On publication some reviewers considered the novel to be immoral, and one suggested that the treatment of the Bishop of Melchester might be regarded as a studied and gratuitous insult aimed at the Church . This sensational tale is informed throughout by the astronomical images and reflections which were preoccupying Hardy at the time of the book's composition. This critical edition is based on a study of the manuscript and Hardy's revised printed versions, and presents a text in which many variants make their appearance in print for the first time.