The Well-Beloved with The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved (Wordsworth Classics)

Introduction and Notes by Jane Thomas, University of Hull.

The Well-Beloved completes the cycle of Hardy's great novels, reiterating his favourite themes of man's eternal quest for perfection in both love and art, and the suffering that ensues. Jocelyn Pierston, celebrated sculptor, tries to create an image of his ideal woman - his imaginary Well-Beloved - in stone, just as he tries to find her in the flesh.

Powerful symbolism marks this romantic fantasy that Hardy has grounded firmly in reality with a characteristically authentic rendering of location, the Isle of Slingers, or Portland as we know it. Overt exploration of the relationship between erotic fascination and creativity makes this novel a nineteenth-century landmark in the persistent debate about art, aesthetics and gender.

This volume breaks new ground by including in full the1892 serialised version of the novel – The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved.

Introducere si note de Jane Thomas, Universitatea din Hull. Preaiubitul completeaza ciclul marilor romane ale lui Hardy, reiterand temele sale preferate ale cautarii vesnice a omului pentru perfectiune atat in dragoste, cat si in arta, si suferinta care rezulta. Jocelyn Pierston, celebrul sculptor, incearca sa creeze o imagine a femeii sale ideale - imaginarul sau bine iubit - in piatra, la fel cum incearca sa o gaseasca in carne si oase. Simbolismul puternic marcheaza aceasta fantezie romantica pe care Hardy a fundamentat-o ferm o redare caracteristica autentica a locatiei, Insula Slingers sau Portland asa cum o cunoastem noi.