A Mere Interlude

This love story is told from the point of view of the heroine, Baptista. She has loved and lost before but has now decided to marry the neighbour of her mother. On her way home her plans are torn asunder.

Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) stands among the most esteemed English novelists and poets of the Victorian era and the early 20th century. Born in the rural hamlet of Higher Bockhampton in Dorset, Hardy's humble beginnings were in stark contrast to the notable literary stature he would go on to achieve. He started his career apprenticed as an architect, but his passion for literature propelled him into writing full-time after the publication of 'Desperate Remedies' in 1871. Hardy's profound understanding of the human condition, intertwined with the social constraints of his times, produced novels such as 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles', 'Far from the Madding Crowd', and 'Jude the Obscure'. He exhibited an exceptional narrative style characterized by his grim view of the Victorian society and a fatalistic approach to life's struggles. The one-act play 'A Mere Interlude', although not as widely recognized as his major works, underscores his preoccupation with themes of love, honor, and betrayal. His literary contributions go beyond the novel with a rich body of poetry that further solidifies his position in the literary canon. Hardy's influence endures, resonating through his poignant portrayals of rural England and the inevitability of fate, which continue to captivate readers and scholars alike.