Conversations with Tyler Paula Byrne on Thomas Hardy’s Women, Jane Austen’s Humor, and Evelyn Waugh’s Warmth
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Dec 11, 2024 Paula Byrne, a bestselling biographer and novelist, shares her insights into the lives of literary giants like Jane Austen, Evelyn Waugh, and Thomas Hardy. She delves into Hardy's tumultuous relationships with women and how they influenced his tragic portrayals of love. The conversation also touches on Virginia Woolf's surprising thoughts on Hardy, the historical impact of figures like Mary Robinson, and how Georgian theater shaped Austen's humor. Byrne's lively anecdotes reveal the intricate connections between personal life and creative storytelling.
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Woolf Meets Hardy
- Virginia Woolf described Thomas Hardy's face as resembling a round apple.
- She found him more charming than anticipated, with a gentle and captivating voice.
Traces of Wessex
- While Hardy's cottage and Max Gate retain their charm, Dorchester has become grim and homogenized.
- Wessex may lack the historical traces found in port cities due to its inland nature and changing demographics.
Hardy's Marital Struggles
- Hardy's Jude the Obscure reflects his personal struggles with marriage and societal pressures against divorce.
- The novel explores the difficulty of leaving unhappy marriages, especially within working-class backgrounds.
