The Return of the Native

by Thomas Hardy
The Return of the Native cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 1804
  • Added: 2025-10-10
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780140435184
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 1999-06-24
  • Formats: 21
  • Reviews: 3

Thomas Hardy's 'The Return of the Native' is a powerful exploration of human nature and the forces that govern our lives. Set on the desolate Egdon Heath, the novel delves into the tragic fates of its characters, including the enigmatic Eustacia Vye and the returning Clym Yeobright. The heath itself is a character, embodying the impersonal and eternal forces that influence the lives of those who dwell there. This early work by Hardy is known for its vivid descriptions and tragic vision, offering a stark portrayal of rural life and the inevitability of fate. The novel's setting and themes have made it one of Hardy's most representative and enduring works, captivating readers with its raw emotional depth and poetic prose.

Reviews
Lotz in Translation · 2023-06-19
critical 2.50

The reviewer finds the novel's prose overly heavy and criticizes its literary style as unnecessary.

This review from Lotz in Translation offers a critical perspective on The Return of the Native, focusing on the novel's prose and literary style. The reviewer argues that Hardy's writing often feels strained and unnecessarily weighty, which detracts from the reading experience. Despite this, the novel's exploration of themes such as romantic illusion and missed opportunities is acknowledged.

Quick quotes

    The prose of the novel is not much better. Hardy often seems to be straining for a weighty, literary style that feels both unnecessary and false.

    The novel's exploration of themes such as romantic illusion and missed opportunities is acknowledged.

    Hardy's writing often feels strained and unnecessarily weighty.

kara.reviews · Kara Babcock · 2016-06-12
mixed 4.00

The reviewer finds the novel to be a solid but not exceptional work among Hardy's repertoire, appreciating its exploration of human struggles against nature.

Kara Babcock offers a balanced view of The Return of the Native, acknowledging its place within Hardy's body of work. While it may not be her favorite, she recognizes its strength in portraying the relentless power of nature and the human condition. The novel's ability to evoke the atmosphere of its setting is particularly commendable, even if it doesn't stand out as Hardy's best.

Quick quotes

    The Return of the Native is never going to vie with some of Hardy's other novels as my favourite, nor would I consider it his "best."

    Hardy conveys the atmosphere of such a place better than anyone and shows how remorselessly it belittles human experience.

    The novel's ability to evoke the atmosphere of its setting is particularly commendable.

London Review of Books · Tim Parks · 2014-07-17
impressive 4.50

The reviewer praises Hardy's ability to convey the oppressive atmosphere of the setting and its impact on human experience.

Tim Parks delves into the atmospheric and thematic elements of The Return of the Native, highlighting Hardy's mastery in depicting the oppressive nature of the setting. He explores how the environment shapes the characters' experiences and the inevitability of their tragic outcomes. Parks' analysis underscores the novel's enduring relevance and its exploration of human resilience.

Quick quotes

    Hardy conveys the atmosphere of such a place better than anyone and shows how remorselessly it belittles human experience.

    The novel's exploration of human resilience in the face of an unforgiving environment is both poignant and thought-provoking.

    Hardy's mastery in depicting the oppressive nature of the setting is unparalleled.

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