Human Shows, Far Phantasies, Songs and Trifles

Human Shows, Far Phantasies, Songs and Trifles

2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of “Human Shows, Far Phantasies, Songs and Trifles”, a collection of Hardy’s poems, published three years before his death. The volume contains 152 poems, some nostalgic, many rich in imagery regarding nature and the seasons. He feared that he had been “too liberal in selecting flippant, not to say farcical, pieces into the collection”. Aged 85, Hardy’s reflection in the closing poem, “Why do I go on doing these things? Why not cease?” We’re certainly glad he didn’t!

The above volume is currently on sale at The Antique Map & Bookshop in Puddletown, Hardy's Weatherbury.

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2025/2026 THS Dates for your diary

From 09/05/2025 until 01/08/2026
Starts 17:30 until 18:00

Paula Byrne Lecture: Hardy Women: Mother, Sisters, Wives, Muses

On 30/05/2025
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Thomas Hardy Birthday Weekend

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Thomas Hardy - Justice of the Peace

On 31/05/2025
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