MovieChat Forums > Tess of the D'Urbervilles (2009) Discussion > Thomas Hardy novels - happy endings???

Thomas Hardy novels - happy endings???

posted 15 years ago by mltosh
9 replies | jump to latest

I have a question for those that have read Hardy's novels. I saw the movie "Tess" many years ago but didn't remember the story, so I started to watch this production and then remembered it somewhat, so I stopped watching. When I saw "Jude the Obscure" with Kate Winslet, I left the theater feeling sick to my stomach. Although the acting and cinemetography were terrific, I hadn't read the novel and was more than disappointed that there was no uplifting part of the movie - no "happy ending" so to say.
I haven't read any of Hardy's other books or seen adaptations of them, but I was wondering if ANY of them have happy endings. I love period pieces, and can appreciate a lot of what's in these films, but I go to a movie to be entertained, not to come out of there disgusted like I was with "Jude." I think it's great that they are being made, but I will choose NOT to go to a particular movie if it's a "downer" and there's no "uplift" at the end. I love Dickens. His books are so bleak, but there's always a light, and a bit of hope at the end of them.
Thanks for any info.

[–] nsppemma 15 years ago

I've never read it, but I have seen a movie version of Under the Greenwood Tree which I believe was by Thomas Hardy. If the novel is anything like the movie, I think you will find the happy ending you're looking for. Actually, the film overall is relatively light.

[–] Schlee25 15 years ago

I have read most of Hardy's novels. I can only think (off the top of my head) of Mayor of Casterbridge and Under the Greenwood Tree as the only ones with a "happy ending." Even though they dont all end happily, I think most end realistically and truthfully, which makes for a better novel.

[–] mithrandir-9 15 years ago

Caution: Spoilers! I don't think I would qualify The Mayor of Casterbridge as having a happy ending. Happy for many of the characters yes, but the ending for the title character felt to myself as one of the most unhappy endings I can remember in any story. An argument can be made that he got his just desserts, but to end your life wishing that "no man remember my name or no monument mark my grave" (as best I remember it) chills me to the core. The fact that he achieves repentance before the end makes it vastly worse. Despite that, it's one of the best novels I've ever read.

[–] Unwanted_Birdtamer 15 years ago

Far From the Madding Crowd ends happily (although much tears beforehand). It also appears that Exploits at West Poley (based on a short story) ends happy.

Come, we must press against the tide of naughtiness. Mind your step.

[–] fleurfairy 15 years ago

I agree with you, mltosh. I saw Cold Mountain in the theater some years ago. I walked out of the theater when it was over feeling...satisfied? contemplative? sad? No. I felt ANGERED. The characters went through tremendous trials of pain and suffering only to...die in the end. I was so annoyed that I had spent two hours becoming invested in characters that didn't even end up together when it was all said and done! From that time on, I have steadfastly refused to watch films with depressing endings. Somehow, I'll grit my teeth and watch the 2nd part of Tess next week on PBS.

[–] JamesPeach 15 years ago

I don't see the problem; why should the subject matter, endings or/and Hardy's idiosyncratic tone and approach put you off reading? You'd be missing out on some of the greatest works ever written. Tess and Jude are viciously fatalistic, but wonderfully poetic too; in fact, Tess might just be the most lyrical novel ever written in English. If you love the English language, you'll love these books.

If you want lighter Hardy, try The Well-Beloved; The Hand of Ethelberta; Under the Greenwood Tree, and Far from the Madding Crowd. The latter has it's moments of pain and heartache, but in comparison with Tess and Jude, it's much more optimistic; albeit ambiguously so.

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[–] mltosh 15 years ago

I would love to be able to read all the great books ever written by great authors, but unfortunately have only so much reading time available. Because there are SO many good books out there, I choose to spend mine reading those that will give me a "sense of fulfillment," rather than a sense of "bummer...why did I waste my time." I felt that way with the movie "Sophie's Choice" too. I still feel horrible anytime I think back to that one. Today's news is full of negative, negative, negative stories. I want to counter that with some positive. I don't want to read something and feel depressed.
I really appreciate your response. Thanks.

[–] JamesPeach 15 years ago

I really appreciate your response. Thanks.

You're welcome!

I can understand you wanting to read books that suit your favourite mood, but I don't think reading Hardy will ever make you think that you'd wasted your time. Try the ones I've picked out for you and perhaps, hopefully, you'll come around to the dark side!

[–] JamesPeach 15 years ago

His books are so bleak, but there's always a light, and a bit of hope at the end of them.

Dickens had a different audience and a slightly different message to convey and tell. I don't consider Hardy a Victorian writer, rather a writer who happened to write during the latter stages of that era; he had much more in common with the modernists. He illustrated - not only in his narratives - but also through the controversy around his works just how much hypocrisy and ignorance were rife at the time. He exposes the underbelly of society, it's ridiculous mores and values, it's unbelievingly narrow minded approach and outlook; its double standards and contradictions and its complete and utter ignorance towards femininity, sexuality, art and literature and naturalism (the latter thankfully was growing steadily).

But Dickens indeed could be savagely bleak, and indeed with all their differences, both he and Hardy could be seen to have a lot in common, too (not just in their private and personal lives). Just take a look at Paul Dombey Junior to see where Hardy might've got his inspiration for Little Father Time in Jude the Obscure.

Dickens and Hardy were both very famous during their lifetime, both had a catalogue of work that grew darker and much more pessimistic and cynical in tone and narrative, as the years passed by.

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