He decides that since he’s thought to be a widower in Casterbridge, the best thing to do is set up Susan and Elizabeth Jane in a house and “court” Susan with an eye towards marrying her. He still greatly regrets his actions, and though he’s not especially keen to be married to Susan again (he’s formed another attachment in the meantime), he’s happy to have Elizabeth Jane back. 21 years thus his vow’s end date is approaching). Henchard took a vow of sobriety after his actions at the country fair all those years ago (though not a permanent vow he had said he would remain sober for as many years as he was previously on Earth – i.e. In other words, she realizes that she’s actually Mrs. Also, Susan, who is far from the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, has only recently come to realize that you can’t just transfer ownership of a wife like you might a horse. Her “husband” Newsom has been lost at sea, and Susan, having no financial resources, has looked for Henchard in order to get a better situation for her daughter. Susan Newsom, his erstwhile wife, shows up in town with her daughter Elizabeth Jane. Twenty years later, Henchard has prospered as a businessman in the nearby town of Casterbridge in fact, he is the mayor. The next day, a sober Henchard regrets his actions and sets out to find his wife and daughter, but they are gone. A sailor who has happened by, Newsom, accepts the offer and pays five guineas for Susan and Elizabeth Jane (it should be noted that Susan is pretty fed up with Michael at this point and accepts the situation with alacrity).

Henchard proceeds to get drunk and belligerent, and in a moment of impulsive hostility towards his wife, he offers her for sale.

Michael Henchard is a 21-year-old itinerant hay-trusser who shows up at country fair with his wife Susan and young daughter Elizabeth Jane. It ended up falling in the middle of the other two books not as dull or depressing as Jude the Obscure but less compelling (and more downbeat) than Far From the Madding Crowd. Recently, I decided to give The Mayor of Casterbridge a try. Then I read Far From the Madding Crowd, and liked it quite a bit better I gave it a B+. It was boring and depressing, a particularly noxious combination. Once upon a time I read Jude the Obscure, and I did not like it. Thomas Hardy and I have a fraught relationship (not that he’s aware of it, having been dead for the past 89 years). Jennie B+ Reviews / Book Reviews 19th century / classic / English Literature 15 Comments REVIEW: The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

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