BleakChesneyWold

                                                    Novel by Mike Langridge  I had not really been convinced about the value of sequels and prequels written by modern novelists inspired by well known works by dead authors : But have to say that I enjoyed this book very much. Certainly some knowledge of the  plot of 'Tess of the 'd'Urbevilles' and perhaps a familiarity of Thomas Hardy's main novels, are a great help.  Starting with Angel Clare and Tess's sister Liza-Lu seeing the black flag raised marking the hanging of Tess for the killing of Alec D'Urbeville whose malign actions had contributed to Angel Clare abandoning Tess shortly after he had married her. Alec had at least financially supported Tess's family,and with his death. a crisis soon looms. Angel Clare, still feels contrite for his treatment of Tess, and for leaving her once she dis...

                                                         A Comparison      Les Foins (Haymaker)  by    Jules Bastien-Lepage (1848-1884), from 1877.Public Domain, courtesy of 'Wikipedia'. The purpose of this post is to look at the plight of two fictional characters 'Lady Dedlock' and 'Tess', created some 40 years apart, but dramatically  depict how a woman who had a child 'out of wedlock' could be 'ruined'. Both Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy were highly critical of the treatment of their plight. A great deal of  Charles Dickens's 'Bleak House' (first published via installments 1852-1853)  concerns hidden past, and how the power that those individuals who have discovered a secret  about another person can wield. Lady Honoria Dedlock,  has had an illegitimate child before her marriage. She...