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 A Timeless Classic February 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I adore Thomas Hardy's work. I recently re- read this beautiful novel. Under the Greenwood tree is a poignant little novel. It is a tale of a traditional country community, it's choir, which is under threat and a romance. The novel highlights the beginnings of change for such communities, through the travails of the "Melstock Quire", which is being threatened by the introduction of a new organ. Meanwhile Dick Dewey pursues school mistress Fancy Day - although he is not her only admirer. There is a gentleness and warmth to the characters we meet in Melstock, their traditions and concerns become ours, it is an absolute joy, a real timeless clasic. Hardy's England is a place I could happily live I think.
"A dance to the music of time" June 15, 2003
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
The painter Poussin's famous title might stand as a rubric for this lovely book. Hardy views his cast of rustics through the prism of music: the old church stringed instruments choir is to be replaced with the spanking new organ. There is the added romantic interest of young musician Dave and the controversially female organist, Fancy Day. This is a story of established customs breaking down through the interloper: a new vicar in town. Structurally divided into Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, it follows the natural rhythms of the earth and of society. Hardy revels in his descriptive powers. Filled with nostalgia and that increasingly fashionable concept - "Englishness", and seasoned with wisdom and wit, this is truly fabulous - a mini-masterpice in a similar bag to, say, Mrs. Gaskell's "Cranford". "Under the Greenwood Tree" was deservedly Hardy's own favourite among his novels.
"A dance to the music of time" June 15, 2003
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
The painter Poussin's famous title might stand as a rubric for this lovely book. Hardy views his cast of rustics through the prism of music: the old church stringed instruments choir is to be replaced with the spanking new organ. There is the added romantic interest of young musician Dave and the controversially female organist, Fancy Day. This is a story of established customs breaking down through the interloper: a new vicar in town. Structurally divided into Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, it follows the natural rhythms of the earth and of society. Hardy revels in his descriptive powers. Filled with nostalgia and that increasingly fashionable concept - "Englishness", and seasoned with wisdom and wit, this is truly fabulous - a mini-masterpice in a similar bag to, say, Mrs. Gaskell's "Cranford". "Under the Greenwood Tree" was deservedly Hardy's own favourite among his novels.
"A dance to the music of time" June 8, 2003
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I borrow the title of Poussin's painting to add my appreciation. Hardy view his rustics through the prism of music: the old church string choir is to be replaced with the spanking new organ. Added to this is the story of young Dave and his love for the organist, Fancy Day. A story of established customs breaking down through the interloper, a new vicar in town. Structurally divided into Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, it follows the natural rhythms of the earth and of society. Filled with nostalgia, seasoned with wisdom and wit, this is truly fabulous - a mini-masterpice in a similar bag to, say, Mrs. Gaskell's "Cranford". It was deservedly Hardy's own favourite among his novels.
 "Hardy's sunniest work" Penguin Popular Classics March 2, 2001
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
Set around the village of Mellstock deep in Hardy's Wessex Under the Greenwood Tree centres around one man's tussle to get his girl. Perhaps Dick Dewy dreams too high above his station in chasing the new schoolteacher Fancy Day, but he pursues her resolved to shake off her rebuttals. Indeed he seems to be winning until the arrival of Mr Maybold, the new vicar. This is where Hardy affectionate tale of country life really asserts its quality. The villagers, deeply set in their traditions are unsettled by Maybold's plans to replace the "Mellstock Quire" of which Dick's father and grandfather are a part, with a new organ, who it is suggested should be played by Miss Day. The ensuing trepidation which is explored as they approach Maybold with their compromise package is quite magical in quality and the almost happy ending makes this a rare book enjoyed amongst those of us who prefer our characters alive and not dead.A word of warning. Do persevere. This book contains several archaic names and dialectal constructions. This can be disconcerting at the start but eventually forms part of the quaint isolated rural cadence and paints an almost farcically accurate picture of some of the Mellstock's residents.
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