Black Sheep vs The Return of the Native: Which Should You Read?
Both live on shelves: Mate selection, Social life and customs, Romance, History
Black Sheep
With her high-spirited intelligence and good looks, Abigail Wendover was a most sought-after young woman. But of all her high-placed suitors, there was none Abigail could love. Abigail was kept busy when her pretty and…
vs
The Return of the Native
The native of the title is Clym Yeobright, who returns to the area from the bright society of Paris and, as any reader of Hardy knows, all is not smooth. He is quickly taken by and marries the one woman he should…
The verdict
- Readers rate The Return of the Native highest: The Return of the Native 3.9 · Black Sheep 3.6.
- Black Sheep has the widest readership — 41439 ratings behind its score.
- The Return of the Native runs the darker storyline; Black Sheep stays the lighter read.
How to choose
Just want the better-reviewed one?
The Return of the Native
3.9 vs 3.6 from readers
New to the genre?
Black Sheep
Moderate vs Challenging for The Return of the Native
In the mood for something dark?
The Return of the Native
a darker storyline than Black Sheep
Want something lighter?
Black Sheep
an easier tone than The Return of the Native
Scores by source
| Black Sheep | The Return of the Native | |
|---|---|---|
| Goodreads | 3.6 (41439) | 3.9 (41183) |
| Hardcover | 3.8 (23) | 3.6 (45) |
| Apple Books | 4.5 (91) | 4.5 (123) |
Reception
| Black Sheep | The Return of the Native | |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | 41439 | 41183 |
| Editions | 28 | 205 |
| Citations | — | 52 |
| Film adaptations | 1 | 1 |
| Want to read | — | 38283 |
| Reading it now | — | 1624 |
| Written reviews | — | 2349 |
| Wikipedia attention | 216 | 5203 |
| Pages | 255 | 257 |