Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy's last novel, Jude the Obscure, has been enjoyed by readers around the world for over a century. Somewhat autobiographical, the story follows Jude Fawley, a stonemason in the fictional county of Wessex, who moves to Christminster to follow his dream of becoming a scholar. He becomes embroiled in a social scandal which leads to murder and suicide.

Poetry is a fascinating use of language. With almost a million words at its command it is not surprising that these Isles have produced some of the most beautiful, moving and descriptive verse through the centuries. In this series we look at poets who at first thought summon other crafts to mind. Many giants of Literature originate from the shores of these emerald isles; Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, The Brontës and Austen to which most people