A Group of Noble Dames

Book excerpt: ‘A Group of Noble Dames’ is a collection of ten short stories, framed by a central narrative. Thomas Hardy ties the tales together by presenting them as a conversation between the members of a club, in which each one tells the story of a noblewoman from the 17th or 18th Century. Through their accounts, Hardy examines a range of themes, including marriage, deceit, and social conventions. A consummate storyteller, the dialogue and characterisations are superb, allowing the reader to be drawn into each tale. ‘Barbara of the House of Grebe’, one of the short stories from the collection, was later adapted for TV, starring Ben Kingsley. Born in Dorset, Thomas Hardy (1840 – 1928) was one of the most renowned poets and novelists of the 20th Century. The ill-health that plagued him as a child followed him into early adulthood, scuppering his chances of working as an architectural draftsman. His further ambitions into the priesthood were halted by lack of funds and his wavering faith, leading him to develop his writing abilities Over the course of his career, Hardy wrote 20 novels, numerous poems, and countless short stories. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film or television, such as ‘Far from the Madding Crowd (starring Nigel Terry), ‘Jude’ (starring Kate Winslet), and ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge ́ (starring Ciaran Hinds). Hardy died from pleurisy, aged 88.