Trumpet Major
3 journalers for this copy...
I ordered this book from a used book seller in the U.K. because the Hardy reading group that I joined will be reading it in July/August 2012.
This book is unlike any other Hardy I have read and yet reminiscent of them. It is unlike because it is set during the Napoleonic Wars, some 70 years before the book was written. I can't think of any other Hardy novels that are set that far back. But it is like other novels because the centerpiece of the novel is the romantic entanglements of one woman, Anne Garland. Anne is courted by three men, John Loveday (the trumpet-major of the title), his brother, Robert Loveday, and the nephew of a local squire, Festus Derriman. (I couldn't help thinking during this whole book of Festus from Gunsmoke, Sheriff Matt Dillinger's sidekick. That's the only other time I've heard of a Festus.)
Of the three, John Loveday is decidedly the best catch. He is steadfast in his love, noble, brave and honest. Robert (Bob) really annoyed me. He courted two other women in addition to Anne and seemed to think that she would just wait around for him. He told his brother when he sailed off to war that he was giving her up so John could have his chance at her but some time later decided he wanted her for himself. John, being the gentleman he was, decided to renounce Anne when Bob asked him to. Festus was just plain awful and, thankfully, Anne never seriously considered him. Festus was in the yeomanry but the one time that it seemed he would be called upon to fight his cowardice came out. These days I think we would call Festus a stalker because he was so persistent even when Anne made it obvious she didn't want him around. I cheered when she jumped on his horse as he was trying to get her to kiss him and rode off leaving him to walk home.
Living near the English Channel put the inhabitants of Overcombe Mill in danger of being overrun by the French if they invaded. It was really interesting to read of the preparations made by the populace and to see how they worked out when there was a false alarm. It is probably lucky that Napoleon never did invade because I don't think the locals would have been very successful against him. Miller Loveday started out without any ammunition for his gun and no-one seemed to know where to go or who to follow.
I thought Festus's uncle was a really interesting minor character. He kept making provisions to secure his fortune from both the French and his nephew but then he would change his mind. He certainly had a soft spot for Anne whom he twice entrusted with the safety of his strongbox. But even then he couldn't let well enough alone and he had to move it again.
All in all a very satisfying read and certainly not as gloomy as some of Hardy's other works.
Of the three, John Loveday is decidedly the best catch. He is steadfast in his love, noble, brave and honest. Robert (Bob) really annoyed me. He courted two other women in addition to Anne and seemed to think that she would just wait around for him. He told his brother when he sailed off to war that he was giving her up so John could have his chance at her but some time later decided he wanted her for himself. John, being the gentleman he was, decided to renounce Anne when Bob asked him to. Festus was just plain awful and, thankfully, Anne never seriously considered him. Festus was in the yeomanry but the one time that it seemed he would be called upon to fight his cowardice came out. These days I think we would call Festus a stalker because he was so persistent even when Anne made it obvious she didn't want him around. I cheered when she jumped on his horse as he was trying to get her to kiss him and rode off leaving him to walk home.
Living near the English Channel put the inhabitants of Overcombe Mill in danger of being overrun by the French if they invaded. It was really interesting to read of the preparations made by the populace and to see how they worked out when there was a false alarm. It is probably lucky that Napoleon never did invade because I don't think the locals would have been very successful against him. Miller Loveday started out without any ammunition for his gun and no-one seemed to know where to go or who to follow.
I thought Festus's uncle was a really interesting minor character. He kept making provisions to secure his fortune from both the French and his nephew but then he would change his mind. He certainly had a soft spot for Anne whom he twice entrusted with the safety of his strongbox. But even then he couldn't let well enough alone and he had to move it again.
All in all a very satisfying read and certainly not as gloomy as some of Hardy's other works.
Journal Entry 3 by gypsysmom at Park Theatre & Movie Cafe in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (8/16/2012 UTC) at Park Theatre & Movie Cafe in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I'll take this to our meet-up tonight. If no-one takes it home you can find it on the OBCZ shelf.
This book is currently sitting on the Winnipeg Official Bookcrossing Zone bookshelf in the loft of The Park Theatre & Movie Café, 698 Osborne Street, Winnipeg MB.
It is waiting there for a new reader to take home, read, and release back into the wild!
Winnipeg bookcrossers meet at my location on the second Wednesday of every month at 7pm to chat about books, swap great reads, and release on the OBCZ shelves. Please join us! We love to see new faces! You will enjoy the comfy atmosphere, the fabulous coffees and teas, and the yummy treats!
It is waiting there for a new reader to take home, read, and release back into the wild!
Winnipeg bookcrossers meet at my location on the second Wednesday of every month at 7pm to chat about books, swap great reads, and release on the OBCZ shelves. Please join us! We love to see new faces! You will enjoy the comfy atmosphere, the fabulous coffees and teas, and the yummy treats!
I haven't started reading it yet, but I like Hardy so I am looking forward to starting it soon.
