Hello
I am Barnaby Walter, a former student of The Billericay School, and now honorary Film Critic and arts contributor to the Speak Up website. As of October, I will be doing a degree in English Literature & Film Studies at The University of Southampton, whilst Charlotte Ward, my fellow honorary contributor, will be starting her History degree at The University of Leicester. Although I’m sure we will be very busy with University life, every week we plan to select a book we believe will be great for discussion, a piece of escapism or a masterpiece that everyone should read. Either one of us (or sometimes both) will highlight why the book’s been selected and we welcome any comments on the week’s choice. We promise to choose a wide range of books. From literary masterworks, to Military adventures, from popular vampire fiction to juicy whodunits, we delight in the breadth and scope of the literary world. We also plan to unearth some hidden gems that many will never have heard of! Remember to ask your English teachers about the book – see if they’ve read it and have an opinion on it!
This week’s book:
Tess of the D’Urbervilles is the gripping but heartbreaking story of a young girl, Tess of the title, who is sent off by her mother to a large manor house. Her mother believes they are distantly related to a rich aristocratic family, and the duty falls to Tess to claim their role in the family so as not to miss out on any wealth on inheritance that may come their way. This decision has disastrous consequences, as Tess, an innocent young woman, is brought into the harsh adult world in the cruellest manner possible. She sees the pain, the torment and the danger of real life, but Hardy’s writing also conveys the beauty of the world while his characters go through their ordeals.
This newly repackaged edition (which looks suspiciously, and probably deliberately, rather Twilight-esque) aims to introduce this masterpiece to a new audience without sacrificing or expurgating any of Hardy’s prose. BW.
Tess of the D’Urbervilles is available from Harper Collins at £6.99, available from Watersontes.com and all good bookshops. Ask at the RBLC for a copy or at your local library.
Text © 2010 Barnaby Walter.
Every week we select some other books we believe deserve particular attention.
The Ward & Walter Book of the Day is run in conjunction with The Ward & Walter Bookclub. Ward&Walter is a collaboration between WALTERMEDIA.CO.UK and Charlotte Rose Ward.
