Review : The Return of The Native - Thomas Hardy

In The Return of the Native, the reader is introduced to Egdon Heath, a dry and isolated land where the characters live. The soil is poor and farming is hard, so many people make a living by cutting furze, a tough shrub used for fuel. This simple, difficult work shows how closely their lives depend on the heath. 

Eustacia Vye lives with her grandfather, Captain Vye, in a cottage on Egdon Heath. Because she is different from the other villagers—beautiful, proud, and mysterious—people gossip about her and even say she is a witch. This shows how she does not fit in with the simple life of the heath and why she dreams of escaping it. Eustacia longs to go to Paris, dreaming of a brighter and more exciting life than the lonely heath can offer. But she cannot go on her own—her future depends on finding a man who will marry her and take her there. For her, love is not just about romance, but also a way to escape and reach the life she desires.

The title The Return of the Native mainly refers to Clym Yeobright, whose return brings a fresh breeze to the dry and lonely heath. After spending years in Paris, he comes back with new ideas and energy, raising hopes and stirring changes in the quiet life of Egdon. Eustacia uses her charm and beauty to draw Clym closer, hoping to shape his path toward her own desires. She sees him as the one who could take her away from the heath, and with her seductive presence she tries to guide him, like stepping stones, toward the dream she longs for.

Lady Chatterley's Lover - D.H. Lawrence

Connie’s marriage to Clifford was shaped more by social expectation than true love. At first, she tried to be a loyal and supportive wife, unfortunately Clifford returned from the war, paralyzed. Their relationship lacked physical intimacy as Clifford became more absorbed in his writing and intellectual world. Connie still young and full of life, began to feel lonely and invisible till Connie met Mellors, the gamekeeper of Wragby and Clifford’s servant, and over time, their quiet understanding grew into a deep and unexpected love.

It’s like—I don’t fully agree with what Connie to Clifford. I feel pity for Clifford—a  but is crippled, powerless, and impotent. He’s trapped in his own pride and intellect, unable to truly connect with Connie emotionally or physically. On the other hand, I also sympathize with Connie, who feels no joy or warmth at Wragby. It’s not entirely her fault; a man like Clifford never truly tried to understand her needs as a woman. Connie longs for freedom—to live by her own choices rather than stay imprisoned in an unhappy marriage. True love rarely comes in a lifetime, and when she found it in Mellors, she felt lucky. She surrendered to it, even if it meant giving up her social status, because for the first time, she truly felt alive.

Connie was raised with a sense of freedom, nothing could stop her from choosing her own happiness. She decided to follow her heart and trust in Mellors, the only man she truly loved. Some might say this is selfish in a world led by men, but the truth is, we women also have a choice—to live fully, not just to endure.

Lady Chaterley's Lover is not only about adultery and intimacy; it also serves as proof that Connie and Mellors relationship becomes a lens that subtly explores issues of class difference, economic disparity, the changing geographical landscape of old England, and the emotional damage caused by industrialization and social expectation. They reach a kind of primordial happiness—simple, natural, and deeply human. Away from the noise of society and industrial life, they find joy in each other’s presence, both physical and emotional bond.

Okay, maybe I’m a bit weird for liking this scandalous author, and I feel a little ashamed for reading this book. But somehow, despite the controversy, the story speaks to something real. I think, the readers in the early 20th century were not ready for Lady Chatterley's Lover because social and moral values at that time were much more conservative, especially involving a married woman and a working-class man, and were considered inappropriate and even scandalous. I don't know in this century, book like this become a common though I rarely read contemporer fiction, but the question is "why" ? people nowdays is more liberal to express their art and tought,  and the publisher does not censor strictly and basicly sales the book based on provit oriented. Nevertheless, classic authors stand out not just for their breakthroughs in literature, but also for their courage to speak about taboo subjects that reflect real human experiences. The more controversial, the more interesting for me, and the more forbidden the more I want to read. This is the second reading from D.H Lawrence, I would like to read more books from him. I also curious with The Rainbow.

"One may go against convention, but one must keep up tradition.”

Ruang Buku Megga Rated : ✬✬✬✬(4/5)

Title : Lady Chatterley's Lover

Author : D.H Lawrence
Publisher : Signet Classics

Year : 2011 (First Published in 1928)
Format / Pages : Softcover /368 pages
ISBN :  9780451531957

Bleak House - Charles Dickens

I pledge to read at least one Dickens novel each year, as a way to stay connected with the richness of classic literature. When I came across Bleak House, I didn’t expect much—until I found myself completely absorbed into the world Dickens created. His words drew me in so deeply that it felt like I was living alongside the characters, wandering through the fog of London, feeling their struggles and hopes. It was an unforgettable, immersive reading experience—one that reminded me why Dickens remains timeless.

The case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce is a very old and confusing court. It is about a group of people fighting over a large amount of money left in a will. The case had been going on for many years, so long that even the people involved didn’t fully understand it anymore. It wasted everyone’s time and money, and many people’s lives were ruined while waiting for the result. 

Esther Summerson, Richard Carstone, and Ada Clare are closely connected to each other through both personal relationships and the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. Esther is the kind and humble narrator of the story, who becomes a companion and guardian to Ada. Ada and Richard are young cousins who fall in love, and both are wards in the Jarndyce case, meaning their futures depend on the outcome of the lawsuit. They all live together at Bleak House under the care of Mr. John Jarndyce, who acts as a father figure. While Esther tries to keep peace and offer wisdom, Richard becomes obsessed with the court case, which causes tension and worry, especially for Ada. Their lives become more complicated and emotional as they try to support each other while dealing with the harmful effects of the endless lawsuit.

Bleak House has many mysteries, many subplot are conected to each other, at first, the novel seems to have many separate storylines, but as the story goes on, Dickens slowly shows that all these plots are interwoven. The mysteries about Lady Dedlock's past become a central of the story, is about where she really comes from and the secret she hides. Mr. Tulkinghorn, her husband's serious and cold lawyer, becomes suspicious and starts watching her closely. He tries to find out the truth, like a cat chasing a mouse. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a hidden connection between Lady Dedlock and Esther Summerson. Their pasts are secretly tied together, and this mystery becomes one of the most important parts of the story.

In this novel, Dickens shows how the law system is full of problems and corruption. The lawyers make the case go on for many years without ending it, just so they can keep getting paid. They do not really care about helping people, but only about making money. This makes the people suffer while the lawyers and the court waste time and money. 

Dickens made Esther’s character is truly angelic, she is kind, patient, humble, and always puts others before herself. Esther was admired by several gentlemen, including the clerk law clerk at Kenge and Carboy, William Guppy and the surgeon Allan Woodcourt.

I like the character of Lady Dedlock, she is truly a noble lady. She remains strong, elegant, and graceful even when facing difficult and painful situations. Despite the secrets and dangers around her, she keeps her dignity and never loses her composure, she shouldering the flawless future of the Deadlock family.

Afterwhile, we see that Bleak House has so many characters, too many to mention. Many of them are "devil-like" figures, such as Mr. Tulkinghorn and Mr. Vholes, the sly lawyer who drags out Richard Carstone’s case just to make money. There are also disgusting and selfish characters like Mr. Skimpole, who pretends to be innocent while taking advantage of others. But the most devil-like figures is the Chancery Court itself, because its broken system creates suffering without responsibility. 

I almost forget to mention Mr. Bucket ! 

The character of Mr. Bucket is a pioneer of the modern detective, as he shows sharp observation, calm thinking, and clever methods long before the classic detectives of later fiction. Mr. Bucket solved the central case of this novel.

Though it is long, every page builds a rich world filled with mystery, emotion, and unforgettable characters.  His writing may take time, but it rewards the reader with wisdom, beauty, and truth that still matter today. 5 stars for Bleak House.

Ruang Buku Megga Rated : ✬✬✬✬✬(5/5)

Title : Bleak House

Author : Charles Dickens
Publisher : Penguin Classics (black spine)

Year : 2003 (First Published in 1853)

Format / Pages : Softcover / 989 pages

Review Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky

“Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.”

I have never actualy read russian classics or anything like this book in my entire life till in 2024 I got acquainted with Leo Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and from now on russian classics may have the big impact for my own. My first impression when reading The Crime and Punishment was how gloomy it was, how squalid at some place at St. Petersburg was when this book really invited me to dive into it, and we are also taken in depth into the depths of Raskolnikov's thoughts.

"it's better to face your demons instead of perpetually running away from them."

Crime and Punishment is told by a third-person narrator and follows a young student named Rodion Raskolnikov. He lives in St. Petersburg and comes from a poor and troubled family. His family cannot afford to pay for his school anymore, which makes him feel hopeless. He also becomes very upset when he finds out that his sister, Dunya (Ducheka), is being forced to marry a rich man just for money, to help the family. This makes Raskolnikov feel angry and lost, and it leads him to make difficult and dangerous choices in the story.

Review The Mill on The Floss by George Eliot

St. Ogg's is a small, old town in England by the River Floss. It has green fields, farms, and countryside all around it. The town has small streets, old buildings, and a close tie to the river, which is very important to the people who live there. Dorlcote Mill is just outside the town, close to the river, and the water powers the mill. The river is both pretty and risky, especially when it floods. The calm but changing scenery near St. Ogg's shows the lives and problems of the characters in The Mill on the Floss.

The Tullivers own Dorlcote Mill. The Tulliver family has owned the mill for many years. The mill is their home and how they make money. The Tullivers feel strongly about Dorlcote Mill, showing how important it is to their family and culture.

The main character is Maggie Tulliver, who had a childhood with strong emotions and big hopes. Many critics think she represents the author herself (George Eliot's real name was Mary Ann Evans). She was a smart and eager girl who loved to read and learn, and she often felt like she didn't fit in. Her brother, Tom Tulliver, was stubborn and didn't like new ideas, and he never understood Maggie. Maggie was very close to her brother Tom, and she was often compared to her cousin from her mother's side, Lucy Deane. Lucy's role in the story shows the contrast between people who easily fit into society, like her, and Maggie, who always struggled because she was different from what people expected of young women in the 19th century.

The story goes on from when they were kids to when they were adults. The Tulliver family's troubles begin when her father loses their mill, causing them shame and difficulty. Mr. Tulliver, Maggie’s father, gets into a fight with a man named Mr. Wakem. Mr. Tulliver borrows money to pay for a lawsuit against Wakem, but he loses the case. After that, he is unable to pay back the money he owes. Because of this, he has to sell the mill and everything he owns to pay his debts. This brings much sadness and trouble to the Tulliver family. This causes the Tulliver hated Wakem family, the hatred itself passed down to their next generations.

Review The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim

"May scorched and withered; March was restless, and could be hard and cold in its brightness; but April came along softly like a blessing, and if it were a fine April it was so beautiful that it was impossible not to feel different, not to feel stirred and touched."

The Enchanted April offers a gentle, introspective story about four English women—strangers to one another—who decide to escape their unfulfilling lives and spend a month together in a medieval castle in Italy. Set in the 1920s, shortly after World War I, the novel explores themes of love, loneliness, and healing, all wrapped in the warm and fragrant atmosphere of an Italian spring.

“that anybody would quarrel about anything when they’ve not left off being together for a single day for two whole years. What we both need is a holiday.”

The premise is charming and simple: Mrs. Wilkins and Mrs. Arbuthnot, two rather ordinary and unhappy mediocore housewives in London, come across an advertisement for a castle available for rent in Italy. Longing for peace and beauty, they impulsively decide to share the cost—and the experience—with two other women: Lady Caroline, a glamorous socialite weary of constant attention and shallow relationships, and Mrs. Fisher, a conservative elderly widow clinging to the values of the Victorian era.

2025 Classics Reading Haul

Classics Books I want to read in 2025 :

British Classics :

1. 1984 (Reread) - George Orwell
2. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
3. Enchanted April, The - Elizabeth Von Arnim
4. Flush - Virginia Woolf
5. Ivanhoe - Sir Walter Scott
6. Jane Eyre (Reread) - Charlotte Bronte
7. Lady Chatterley's Lover - D.H Lawarence
8. Last Man, The  - Mary Shelley
9. Mill on The Floss, The  - George Elliot
10. Night Is Darkening Around Me, The  - Emily Bronte
11. Return of Native, The - Thomas Hardy
12. Utopia - Thomas More
13. Woodlanders, The  - Thomas Hardy
14. Wives and Daughters - Elizabeth Gaskell
15. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

French Classics :

1. Black Tulip, The - Alexandre Dumas
2. Fortune of the Rougons, The - Emile Zola
3. Phantom of The Opera, The - Gaston Leroux

American Classics :

1. Ethan Form - Edith Wharton
2. Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur's Court, A - Mark Twain
3. Farewell to Arms, a - Ernest Hemmingway
4. Grapes of Wrath, The - John Steinbeck
5. Last of The Mohicans  - James Fenimore Copper
6. Little Princes, a - Frances Hudgson Burnett

Russian Classics :

1. Death of Ivan Ilyich, The  - Leo Tolstoy
2. Eugene Onegin - Alexander Pushkin
3. Karamazov Brothers, The - Fyodor Doestoevsky
4. Master and Margarita, The - Mikhail Bulgakov

Review Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon

• Lady Audley's Secret, considered as a sensational novel, was highly popular in the 19th century. Published in 1862, it became a notable work by Mary Elizabeth Braddon. The novel reaps the sensation because it has themes of bigamy. Lady Audley's secret combined Gothic horror with psychological realism.
• Lady Audley had climbed up her social status from a governess named Lucy Graham till she ensnares even the wealthy widower, Michael Audley. She made it with her childlike beauty, her most valuable asset.Robert Audley, the nephew of Michael Audley, wanted to comfort his grieving friend, George Talboys after the death of his wife. He took him to Audley Court to have dinner with his new aunt, but the lady avoided them. After they sneak out of the forbidden room to see the lady's portrait, George Talboys is missing.
• Robert is represented as an amateurish detective to search for clues and to investigate the missing of his friend. The mystery leads to the secret of Lady Audley and her past lives. He pursued questions of identity along the paths and corridors of English country houses.

REVIEW (ULASAN NOVEL) O Pioneers! by Willa Cather

"A pioneer should have imagination, should be able to enjoy the idea of things more than the things themselves."

O Pioneers! is a profoundly feminist novel that was published in 1913 by American author, Willa Cather. This is the first book from the Great Plains Trilogy series, one pack with The Song of The Lark and My Antonia. This book refers to many northern European immigrants who traveled to settle in Nebraska. Pioneers means the first generation who first owned the wild land, which means the land is free. Instead of succeeding in their new land by farming, many of them failed to conquer it. It's because they have no experience of farming, and basically many of them come from the working class and didn't know how to manage the prairie. But, many of them become successful landowners.

Alexandra Bergson, the protagonist of this novel, promised her father on his deathbed to manage the praire which her father failed. She lived along with her brother, Lou, Oscar and little Emil Bergson. She works and toils through the prime years of her life. When her brother lacked foresight and judgement, she could take on the role of a patriarch, making critical decisions about the land, labor and finance.

The feeling of being at one with nature makes Alexandra ignore her personal feelings. The land for her is much more than just physical space. She has a deep emotional and almost spiritual connection to the land. The land became her identity, and her responsibility to future generations.

"The land belongs to the future, Carl; that’s the way it seems to me. How many of the names on the county clerk’s plat will be there in fifty years? I might as well try to will the sunset over there to my brother’s children. We come and go, but the land is always here. And the people who love it and understand it are the people who own it—for a little while.” (Alexandra)

I like it when the novel is like a super account of human life from the past. A book like this is more than just reading. We not only see the point of view of people who struggle through life and their way of living, but also the depiction of places, the landscape and the circumstances. Willa Cather is the brilliant author who wrote the very first account of The Great Plains of America.

https://nebraskastudies.org/en/1850-1874/who-were-the-settlers-who-was-daniel-freeman/the-immigrant-experience/

Ruang Buku Megga Rated : ✬✬✬✬(4/5)

Title : O Pioneers!

Author : Willa Cather
Publisher : Book-of-the-Month Club
Year : 1995 (First Published in 1913)
Format /Pages : Hardcover / 309 pages
ISBN : 9780739433249

Review dan Ulasan Novel Mary Barton - Elizabeth Gaskell

Mary Barton, a poignant novel and the first Elizabeth Gaskell work that was published in 1848. This is the second novel that I have read from her. As always, her narrative is well constructed and easy to read. Elizabeth Gaskell is good at mixing romance with social critique and political commentary, so, she has never disappointed me so far.

The original title of this work is Mary Barton: A Tale Of Manchester Life. True to the title, the work portrays the lives of people in Machester as an industrial town. Gaskell underscores their working class, poor people, their starvation, their slumming area, their pride, their social gap, also the way of living between workers and masters. The author realistically depicts the conditions in the city of Manchester during The Great Depression in 1839.

The titular character, Mary Barton, is Gaskell's heroine. A young and beautiful woman from working class family, ambitious become a "lady", and want to marries whealty men who can escaped her and her family from poverty. When her mother died, Mary lives with her only father, John Barton as a workers at the mill and the representative for workers' rights and joining Chartism movement.

Mary had an affair with the mill owner's son, Harry Carson, assuming that he would marry her. Readers may think that Mary is shallow, but she doesn't have another choice. She thinks she can make it with her beauty. It's sad to think her mother and her older brother died because there was not enough money to buy medicine. Mary rejected Jem Willson, who loved her, for Henry. 

Henry Carson's privilege contrasted sharply with the dire poverty and hardship of workers. They envy the ease of life of the upper class while they are suffering. Food shortages and malnutrition. Why don't the masters increase their wages? Then, something terrible happened, something that turned Mary's life. Can she be the 'lady' she wants to be?

What had happened to the life of Mary Barton, had changed her personality. Her bold and her integrity win the hearts of the readers, and she deserves the title of heroine. Mary is surrounded by her neighbors and friends who are loyal and support her. There are many subplots which are told about Mary's blind friends, Margaret, who has a beautiful voice, Alice Willson who become the mother role model for Marry, and the mysterious disapperance her aunt, Esther.

All the thematic expositions, of birth, death, social class, and love, are centered on Mary Barton. The tale about master vs workers as if it never ends. From The Movement of Chartism through this day, workers are getting better rights from year to year. This book is an interesting read, made me a little bit smarter. Sadly, because too many characters died, nevertheless, it ended up beautiful.

Ruang Buku Megga Rated : ✬✬✬✬✬(5/5)

​Title : Mary Barton
Author : Elizabeth Gaskell
Publisher : Penguin Popular Classics
Year : 1994 (First Published in 1848)
Pages : 372 pages
ISBN : 9780140621020

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