Life's Little Ironies
A group of short stories. Aka "Selected Short Stories". Typical Hardy, in that each of these stories deals with the problems associated with marriage. But a good set of stories, and a collection well worth reading.
This is a brilliant story, based around a frustrated woman's infatuation with the poet she has never met.
Working-class woman marries middle-class man. Son never forgives her for where she's come from. Just goes to show, money don't make you happy.
Interesting tale of someone wrecking other people's happiness while trying to appease his own conscience. If you add up the ages of the protagonists, and when the events are supposed to occur, you'll find quite an anomaly.
Flash lawyer marries dull girl, due to the interference of another frustrated housewife.
Should have stuck to shopkeeping...
One of Hardy's best pieces of work, in my opinion. Near-supernatural in the telling, with the power of sexuality and music at the centre.
An excellent portmanteau story, introducing us to the sort of characters at which Hardy excels. A brilliantly-plotted collection of miniature tales.