Hardy is a great writer.
Far From the Madding Crowd was the first Hardy book I read. I cried while reading the scene where Gabriel and Bathsheba are covering up the barley crop during the lightning storm.
The Mayor of Casterbridge is my favorite Hardy novel. I’m going to read Tess of the D’urbervilles in school soon.
@Gail: I feel the same way about his novels v. his poetry. It’s a shame though, because Hardy wanted to be remembered foremost as a poet.