---
product_id: 17281567
title: "A Pair of Blue Eyes (Wordsworth Classics)"
price: "HK$94"
currency: HKD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 7
url: https://www.desertcart.hk/products/17281567-a-pair-of-blue-eyes-wordsworth-classics
store_origin: HK
region: Hong Kong
---

# A Pair of Blue Eyes (Wordsworth Classics)

**Price:** HK$94
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

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- **What is this?** A Pair of Blue Eyes (Wordsworth Classics)
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A Pair of Blue Eyes (Wordsworth Classics) [Thomas Hardy] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A Pair of Blue Eyes (Wordsworth Classics)

Review: One of Thomas Hardy's neglected novels - *A Pair of Blue Eyes* is often called one of Hardy's minor novels -- which means it's usually passed over and ignored, in favor of his monumental successes, *Tess of the d'Urbervilles*, *Jude the Obscure*, or *Far From the Madding Crowd*. *Blue Eyes* is an enigmatic work, because it's not always clear who the protagonist is: Elfride Swancourt, the central female figure; Stephen Smith, who may be a stand-in for a youthful (and charmingly naive) Hardy himself; or Henry Knight, who resembles Hardy's mentor and friend Horace Moule, an older man more worldly, experienced, and intellectually sophisticated than the author in his early twenties. Then there's Elfride's father, the ironically-named Christopher Swancourt, the socially ambitious and self-promoting Anglican country vicar, who hovers over the others' lives like a dark cloud. The novel develops like a romance, with attractive (though flawed) male characters competing for the affection of a sweet, naive, but fetching female. The novel's progress is anything but conventionally romantic, however; its conclusion leads the reader far off the romantic path to an ending that explodes all the characters' hopes and expectations, and likely the reader's as well. *A Pair of Blue Eyes* was written before Hardy began *Tess of the d'Urbervilles*, and it's a worthy competitor to that more recognized novel. Elfride's life and Tess's warrant equally close scrutiny, and both characters reveal Hardy's developing sympathetic envisioning of the lives of young women, their choices concerning lovers and marital partners, and the ways in which their circumstances as women deprive them of the choices they deserve. The far-western English landscape -- Cornwall -- in which Elfride Swancourt lives her life is beautiful, harsh, and ruthless, not unlike the patriarchal social order that governs her being. This novel is more than a good read; it's gripping and mind-bending, for luke-warm Hardy readers or even for his most passionate fans. Give it a go. The final pages will grab you like a hand you didn't know was hovering over your shoulder.
Review: I love the Victorian period and have just *rediscovered* Hardy - I love the Victorian period and have just *rediscovered* Hardy. I read what I imagine were his standard fare in college. Now, I am enjoying his stories that I missed. Although I am only 1/2 through this one, it has not disappointed.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #657,297 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #5,407 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction #11,729 in Classic Literature & Fiction |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 166 Reviews |

## Images

![A Pair of Blue Eyes (Wordsworth Classics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81aDKgCgsnL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of Thomas Hardy's neglected novels
*by F***L on October 4, 2018*

*A Pair of Blue Eyes* is often called one of Hardy's minor novels -- which means it's usually passed over and ignored, in favor of his monumental successes, *Tess of the d'Urbervilles*, *Jude the Obscure*, or *Far From the Madding Crowd*. *Blue Eyes* is an enigmatic work, because it's not always clear who the protagonist is: Elfride Swancourt, the central female figure; Stephen Smith, who may be a stand-in for a youthful (and charmingly naive) Hardy himself; or Henry Knight, who resembles Hardy's mentor and friend Horace Moule, an older man more worldly, experienced, and intellectually sophisticated than the author in his early twenties. Then there's Elfride's father, the ironically-named Christopher Swancourt, the socially ambitious and self-promoting Anglican country vicar, who hovers over the others' lives like a dark cloud. The novel develops like a romance, with attractive (though flawed) male characters competing for the affection of a sweet, naive, but fetching female. The novel's progress is anything but conventionally romantic, however; its conclusion leads the reader far off the romantic path to an ending that explodes all the characters' hopes and expectations, and likely the reader's as well. *A Pair of Blue Eyes* was written before Hardy began *Tess of the d'Urbervilles*, and it's a worthy competitor to that more recognized novel. Elfride's life and Tess's warrant equally close scrutiny, and both characters reveal Hardy's developing sympathetic envisioning of the lives of young women, their choices concerning lovers and marital partners, and the ways in which their circumstances as women deprive them of the choices they deserve. The far-western English landscape -- Cornwall -- in which Elfride Swancourt lives her life is beautiful, harsh, and ruthless, not unlike the patriarchal social order that governs her being. This novel is more than a good read; it's gripping and mind-bending, for luke-warm Hardy readers or even for his most passionate fans. Give it a go. The final pages will grab you like a hand you didn't know was hovering over your shoulder.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love the Victorian period and have just *rediscovered* Hardy
*by M***T on December 18, 2014*

I love the Victorian period and have just *rediscovered* Hardy. I read what I imagine were his standard fare in college. Now, I am enjoying his stories that I missed. Although I am only 1/2 through this one, it has not disappointed.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you like Hardy novels, you'll like this one
*by D***2 on June 16, 2025*

One of Thomas Hardy's earlier novels it has all the hallmarks of his writing style. His character development and descriptions of the English countryside and living are on full display. The story moves quickly at the beginning and at the end but does have a lull in the middle. I am a big fan of his work and this novel, although not his best work, is an enjoyable read.

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*Product available on Desertcart Hong Kong*
*Store origin: HK*
*Last updated: 2026-03-02*