The Well-beloved With The Purs

Thomas Hardy's "The Well-Beloved" serves as the closing novel in his series of significant works, revisiting his enduring exploration of humanity's relentless pursuit of perfection in both love and art, alongside the inevitable suffering this chase entails. The story follows Jocelyn Pierston, a renowned sculptor, who endeavors to capture the essence of his ideal woman, the Well-Beloved, both in his sculptures and in reality. Hardy infuses this romantic fantasy with vivid symbolism while anchoring it in the real world through his authentic depiction of the Isle of Slingers, better known as Portland. The novel boldly examines the intricate relationship between erotic desire and creative expression, establishing itself as a pivotal nineteenth-century contribution to discussions on art, aesthetics, and gender roles. This edition is pioneering in its inclusion of the complete 1892 serialized version of the novel, "The Pursuit of the Well-Beloved."