Title: Trial by ordeal
First published: 1999
Description: Trial by Ordeal takes a sharp look at central aspects of the critical reception of Thomas Hardy. It demonstrates how critical appropriations of Hardy's work often provide a simplifying, conventional, or conservative image of the writer, which a sophisticated view of his creative intentions by no means confirms.

Edward Neill discusses the dangers inherent in interpreting Hardy's writings in terms of his life; the limitations of criticism that views his work as nostalgic reaction; approaches to the poetry; and the critical response to Jude the Obscure.
Subjects: History, Criticism, Criticism and interpretation, Hardy, thomas, 1840-1928
Places: Great Britain
People: Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
Time periods: 20th century, 19th century
LC classification: PR4754 .N39 1999