Love Hardy. Read some of his other books (except Tess, couldn't, not knowing what happens and Hardy makes me feel plenty as it is) and Jude made the biggest impact.

Here's an outrageous except from one of the plot summaries of his books that sums him up pretty hilariously but is surprisingly accurate as to what you're going to get with his books:

"He is still convalescing from a dangerous illness, but nobly allows her to sleep in his hut during stormy weather, whilst he insists on sleeping outside. As a result, he dies."


Mary: So it's not just bookishness, it's also poor social skills. So what? She never hurt anyone. Given all the anti-bullying campaigns, people are surprisingly quick to defend it whenever they do see it happen- it's as if "real" bullying occurs in a vacuum. It doesn't. Many times the object/victim of the bullying has done some something to be seen as the appropriate object/victim. That doesn't make it ok.

Theoretically, bulling is wrong, right, we all agree on that. But hey, if he or she has an annoying habit, is not socially astute, or is different in some non cool way, then it's ok?

Edit: hahaha, that totally explains why I couldn't enjoy Pride and Prejudice- I didn't see myself as Elizabeth, I totally put myself in Mary's shoes. I will naturally identify with the person that is worst off. This doesn't interfere with the author's vision when it's someone like Hardy- his protaganist is usually the one worst off. Conversely, this is why I couldn't read Martin.