On this day, the 2nd of June in 1840,the writer Thomas Hardy was born in the village of Higher Bockhampton near the town of Dorchester in Dorset, England. He was the first of four children in the family of Jemima and Thomas Hardy Senior, who was a builder and stonemason. His birthplace, built by his great grandfather, is now a museum owned by the National Trust.

Young Thomas was given to quieter childhood pursuits, often spending time alone wandering the countryside, exploring the flora and fauna, gaining a profound connection with nature and the familiar sights and sounds of his rural home county. His mother had a great influence on his imagination, entertaining him with stories and songs, many of which would later inspire his Wessex tales.

During his lifetime he wrote almost a thousand published poems and fourteen published novels including Tess of the D’Urbervilles and my absolute favourite Far From the Madding Crowd, which was made into an unforgettable movie starring our very own audiobook performers Julie Christie and Terence Stamp.

One of Hardy's best loved novels is The Return of the Native brought to you as an unabridged Silksoundbooks audiobook by the well known actor Oliver Cotton.

Enjoy!

View and Post Comments Here