Thomas Hardy
Two on a Tower: what to read next?
Books close in genre, era, author or reading level, to read in bilingual editions.
John Oliver HobbesRobert OrangeAn English novel, sequel to The School for Saints. London, 1869: Robert Orange, a young Catholic Member of Parliament of French descent and a protégé of Disraeli, marries Brigit, a young widow he loves with an almost mystical devotion. On the very day of the wedding, word comes…Same countrySame genreSame era
Anatole FranceThe Red LilyJacques, a man torn between passion and disillusionment, maintains a complex relationship with Thérèse, a seductive and elusive woman. Their affair evolves through attraction, jealousy, and power games. In a refined social environment, feelings mingle with interests and…Same genreSame era
Thomas HardyA Pair of Blue EyesAn English novel by Thomas Hardy, published in 1873. One winter day, Stephen Smith, a young assistant to a London architect, arrives in an isolated coastal village in the west of England to survey the old church, which needs restoring. Lodging with the vicar, he falls in love…By the same authorSame genreSame era
F. Scott FitzgeraldThe Great GatsbyJay Gatsby, a wealthy and enigmatic man, throws lavish parties in the hope of reconnecting with Daisy, a woman he loved in the past. Nick, his neighbor, observes this world of luxury, illusion, and ambition. Beneath the glittering surface, desires and lies intertwine, revealing…Same genre
Elizabeth GaskellCranfordAn English novel published in 1853. Cranford is a small country town where nearly every house is kept by ladies, often poor, who never speak of money. The narrator, Mary Smith, who comes from the large town nearby, makes long stays with Miss Matty Jenkyns, the gentle and timid…Same countrySame genreSame era
Fyodor DostoevskyCrime and PunishmentRaskolnikov, a poor student in Saint Petersburg, believes that certain men can transgress moral laws to achieve great things. He commits a crime he deems justified but is quickly consumed by intense inner turmoil. Between guilt, fear, and pride, his mind wavers as those around…Same genreSame era
Robert Louis StevensonCatrionaDavid Balfour, a young Scot seeking justice and stability, becomes entangled in political intrigues after events that have shaken his life. Alongside Catriona, a strong and determined woman, he navigates dangers, plots, and moral dilemmas. Their relationship evolves in an…Same countrySame genreSame era
H. G. WellsAnn VeronicaAnn Veronica, a determined young woman, refuses to submit to rigid social expectations and seeks to live on her own terms. She leaves home to pursue her ambitions, facing judgment and obstacles. Her encounters and experiences confront her with the realities of the world and her…Same countrySame genreSame era
E. SouthworthCruel as the GraveA romantic and dramatic novel set in a mountain valley in Virginia in the nineteenth century. Sybil Berners, a wealthy heiress with a passionate nature, has just married Lyon, a young lawyer without fortune whom she adores. On their way home from their honeymoon, the couple…Same genreSame era
Alfred OllivantOne WomanAn English novel, the second part of “a Romance of Sussex”. In 1908, in a seaside town in the south of England, Ruth, a former housemaid, marries Ernie Caspar, a working man who raises little Alice, born before their marriage, as his own daughter. The years pass: more children…Same countrySame genre
Friedrich NietzscheThus Spoke ZarathustraZarathustra, a solitary thinker, descends among men to share his vision of the world and to question established values. Through his speeches, he invites them to go beyond traditional beliefs and to create their own rules. His often provocative teaching pushes the reader to…Same genreSame era
Oscar WildeThe Picture of Dorian GrayDorian Gray, a young man of exceptional beauty, sees his portrait age in his place while he keeps a flawless appearance. Influenced by Lord Henry, a cynical and provocative figure, he abandons himself to a life of boundless pleasure. But every act leaves a mark on his portrait,…Same genreSame era