The Mayor of Casterbridge

My first reading of this book was a tough one. It seemed difficult to understand the prose, especially since it felt as if I was caught up in the whirlwind of the relationships and the changes. Subsequent readings evolved the depth of the character in my understanding, particularly a single truth- that growth and status changes no one; and our heritage, our past which we so easily...more

My first reading of this book was a tough one. It seemed difficult to understand the prose, especially since it felt as if I was caught up in the whirlwind of the relationships and the changes. Subsequent readings evolved the depth of the character in my understanding, particularly a single truth- that growth and status changes no one; and our heritage, our past which we so easily discard- defines our living choices. Can we ever change the consequences of our decisions? Or do we live with them forever? What becomes us? What defines us? If we could foresee the future, would we have done what we did? These questions are answered in this book... and you realise, life is all about making and facing those decisions. Painful though they may be, still our courage is what leaves us our legacy.   hide

Highly recommended read when you are 13!

Pride comes before a fall eh?

This can be summarized by letting the mayor know that: 'First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is.'