大象传媒

The adaptation of the Thomas Hardy classic Tess of the D'Urbervilles on 大象传媒 One has attracted a whole new audience to the Dorset author, some of whom may never have read any of his work.

But if you're new to Hardy and want to discover more of his writing, where should you start?

Mike Nixon, secretary of the Thomas Hardy Society, based in Dorchester, says: "I would recommend The Mayor of Casterbridge.

"It addresses problems that are still familiar today, apart from selling your wife of course!

Thomas Hardy c1900

"And there's also that most wonderful of novels, Far From The Madding Crowd.

"I'd also recommend Hardy's Short Stories. Some of them are absolutely wonderful and very accessible - very easy to get into."

'A love affair'

Mike has been a fan of Hardy for nearly 40 years, and describes it as a "love affair".

Originally from London, his interest in Hardy grew out of a love for Dorset, and in particular Portland, which Mike has always found fascinating.

Then someone told him of an author who had written novels set in the county.

The first Hardy novel Mike read was The Well Beloved, which is set on Portland - called the Isle of Slingers in the novel.

It tells the story of a sculptor who falls for three generations of women from the same family.

Mike explains: "It's an unusual route to discover Hardy, most come via Tess of the D'Urbervilles or from Far From The Madding Crowd.

"The Well Beloved was the last novel he wrote, and I read it now and think he wrote better."

Mike's favourite Hardy novel is Tess of the D'Urbervilles, because, he says, "it has everything as a novel".

Thomas Hardy Society

Mike is secretary of the Dorchester-based Thomas Hardy Society. They have around 1200 members worldwide and they organise events and a biannual conference celebrating the life and work of Thomas Hardy.

More information on the Society can be found on their website.