The Fiddler of the Reels and Other Stories 1888-1900 (Paperback, New Ed)

‘Car’line, of them all, was the most influenced by Mop Ollamoor’s heart-stealing melodies, to her discomfort, nay, positive pain and ultimate injury’

In the title story of the collection, Car’line Aspent, bewitched and seduced by the dazzling fiddler, Mop Ollamoor, rejects her loyal suitor Ned only to repent her decision and seek him out years later.  The ten other stories share the theme of love, but they are more than simple love stories. Written with Hardy’s customary compassion for ordinary women and his sharp sense of irony, they tell of love’s disasters, betrayals, misunderstandings and cruelties. And, as in Hardy’s novels, it is frequently the women who fall in love unwisely, in defiance of their class, their expectations or their family loyalties, and suffer for their impulsiveness.

This new selection contains full textual notes; an introduction that relates the stories to Hardy’s major novels; a note on the history of the texts; and appendices on the development of the short story collections, Hardy’s imaginative use of history and the illustrations.