The Mayor of Casterbridge
About this book
Like many of Hardy’s novels, The Mayor of Casterbridge is set in the fictional county of Wessex in the mid 1800s. It begins with Michael Henchard, a young hay-trusser, drunk on rum, auctioning off his wife and baby daughter at a village fair. The next day, overcome with remorse, Henchard resolves to turn his life around. When we meet Henchard eighteen years later, temperance and hard work have made him wealthy and respectable. However, he cannot escape his past. His secret guilt, his pride, and his impulsive temper all serve to sabotage his good name. The Mayor of Casterbridge was published in 1886, first as a magazine serial and then later that year as a book. It is perhaps most noteworthy for the psychological portrait of Michael Henchard, a tragic character who remains sympathetic while simultaneously being deeply flawed. Typical of other Hardy novels, it also vividly depicts life in the rural countryside at that time.
Reader Profile
3.9/5 · 67377 readers · Challenging
What genre is The Mayor of Casterbridge?
It sits on the Psychology, Drama, Short Stories shelves.
Has The Mayor of Casterbridge been made into a movie or TV show?
Yes — screen adaptations include The Claim (2001), The Claim (2000), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1978), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1921).
Is The Mayor of Casterbridge in the public domain?
Yes — it is free to read and share.
Who are the main characters in The Mayor of Casterbridge?
The main characters include Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), Prince Prospero.
Where does The Mayor of Casterbridge take place?
It is set in England, Wessex (England), Wessex during 19th century.
Who wrote The Mayor of Casterbridge?
Thomas Hardy.
Where can I read The Mayor of Casterbridge online for free?
It is in the public domain — read it free on Open Library