The Return of the Native

Thomas Hardy

Summary

The Return of the Native is the sixth published novel by English author Thomas Hardy. It first appeared in the magazine Belgravia, a publication known for its sensationalism, and was presented in twelve monthly instalments from 9 January to 19 December 1878. Because of the novel's controversial themes, Hardy had some difficulty finding a publisher; reviews, however, though somewhat mixed, were generally positive. In the twentieth century, The Return of the Native became one of Hardy's most popular and highly regarded novels.The novel takes place entirely in the environs of Egdon Heath, and, with the exception of the epilogue, Aftercourses, covers exactly a year and a day. The narrative begins on the evening of Guy Fawkes Night as Diggory Venn is slowly crossing the heath with his van, which is being drawn by ponies. In his van is a passenger. When darkness falls, the country folk light bonfires on the surrounding hills, emphasising the pagan spirit of the heath and its denizens.Venn is a reddleman, a seller of red ochre. He travels the country supplying farmers with a red mineral called reddle (dialect term for red ochre) that farmers use to mark their sheep. Although his trade has stained him red from head to foot, underneath his devilish colouring he is a handsome, shrewd and well-meaning young man. His passenger is a young woman named Thomasin Yeobright, whom Venn is taking home. Earlier that day, Thomasin had planned to marry Damon Wildeve, a local innkeeper known for his fickleness; however, an inconsistency in the marriage licence delayed the marriage. Thomasin, in distress, ran after the reddleman's van and asked him to take her home. Venn himself is in love with Thomasin, and unsuccessfully wooed her two years before. Now, although he believes Wildeve is unworthy of her love, he is so devoted to her that he is willing to help her secure the man of her choice.

Available since: 12/22/2025.

Other books that might interest you

A Dream of Wild Bees - From...

Olive Schreiner

The bookshelves of World literature are incredible collections that have gathered together centuries of very talented authors.  From their countries and continents their fame spread and whilst among their number many are now forgotten or neglected their talents endure.  Among them is Olive Schreiner.

Show book

The Duplicity of Hargraves

O. Henry

Narrated with charm and nuance, this classic short story from master storyteller O. Henry delivers wit, warmth, and a clever twist that’s both surprising and heartwarming. 
Colonel Escombe, a proud but impoverished Southern gentleman, finds himself reluctantly living in a Washington boarding house with his daughter, facing the quiet indignities of reduced circumstances. There, they meet the flamboyant and theatrical Hargraves, a vaudeville actor with an eye for character—and opportunity. What unfolds is a tale of mistaken identities, sly performances, and unexpected generosity, told with O. Henry’s trademark irony and affection for human nature. 
Perfect for fans of clever storytelling and classic American literature, this short story delivers a satisfying blend of humor and heart in just a few well-crafted pages. 
Cover Photo by Mustafa ŞİMŞEK: https://www.pexels.com/photo/spooky-abandoned-hallway-with-dim-lighting-30299504/

Show book

Study in Scarlet A (a Sherlock...

Arthur Conan Doyle

"A Study in Scarlet" was written by Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, and he marks the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, who would go on to become one of the most well-known mystery-solving duos in literature.  
When a gruesome murder is discovered with the word "RACHE" scrawled in blood, Sherlock Holmes uses his unique powers of deduction to uncover a hidden story of passion, betrayal, vengeance and retribution.

Show book

The Daughter of Lilith - From...

Anatole France

François-Anatole Thibault was born on the 16th April 1844 in Paris, France, the son of a bookseller and bibliophile. 
He studied at the Collège Stanislas, a private Catholic school, and after graduating joined his father in the bookstore, which specialised in works on the French Revolution.  Several years later he secured a position as cataloguer at Bacheline-Deflorenne and at Lemerre before being appointed librarian for the French Senate in 1876. 
His literary career had begun as a journalist and as a poet before publishing his novel ‘Le Crime de Sylvestre Bonnard’ in 1881.  Praised for its elegant prose, it won him a prestigious prize from the Académie Française, which later elected him to its storied ranks. 
His works were profound and thoughtful and often couched in surreal and outlandish expressions; whether penguins baptized by a near-blind Abbott transformed themselves into humans or of a guardian angel who becomes an atheist, his stories turned established thought into startling literature. 
His short stories run in the same vein.  The premise may seem plausible but his distinctive style turns them into an individual viewpoint which invokes both discussion and admiration. 
In his private life his relationships with women were often turbulent.  A Socialist, he was a fervent supporter of the Russian Revolution and the early years of the French Communist party. 
He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1921 but the following year his entire canon of works was placed on the prohibited list of the Catholic Church, which he thought of as a credit to his name. 
Anatole France died on the 12th October 1924 in Tours.  He was 80.

Show book

The Adventure of the Six Napoleons

Arthur Conan Doyle

The Adventure of the Six Napoleons, one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is one of 13 stories in the cycle collected as The Return of Sherlock Holmes.Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard brings Holmes a mysterious problem about a man who shatters plaster busts of Napoleon. One was shattered in Morse Hudson's shop, and two others, sold by Hudson to a Dr. Barnicot, were smashed after the doctor's house and branch office had been burgled. Nothing else was taken. In the former case, the bust was taken outside before being broken.Holmes knows that Lestrade's theory about a Napoleon-hating lunatic must be wrong. The busts in question all came from the same mould, when there are thousands of images of Napoleon all over London.The next day, Lestrade calls Holmes to a house where there has been yet another bust-shattering, but there has also been a murder. Mr. Horace Harker found the dead man on his doorstep after investigating a noise. His Napoleon bust was also taken by a burglar entering through a window. It, too, was from the same mould. Also, a photograph of a rather ape-ish-looking man is found in the dead man's pocket...Famous works of the author Arthur Conan Doyle: A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of the Four, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, The Valley of Fear, His Last Bow, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes, Stories of Sherlock Holmes, The Lost World.

Show book

The Merchant of Venice

William Shakespeare

A conflict between a nobleman and a moneylender drives this suspenseful comedy filled with twists and turns.Bassanio, a Venetian nobleman and reckless spender, has found himself in financial straits, making it difficult for him to court the woman he loves, Portia. His wealthy friend who usually bails him out, Antonio, will not have funds available until his merchant ships come in. Borrowing from Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, and using Antonio as a guarantor, appears to be Bassanio’s only option if he wants to win Portia’s hand. Shylock, at first reluctant to get involved with the anti-Semitic Antonio, finally offers to waive interest on the loan—if he can take a pound of Antonio’s flesh should the money not be repaid on time. But when Bassanio’s ships are reported lost at sea, danger awaits, in this masterpiece by the Bard, William Shakespeare.

Show book