Dive into the enchanting world of Under the Greenwood Tree, subtitled The Mellstock Quire A Rural Painting of the Dutch School. This charming novel centers around Dick Dewy, a young man smitten with the new schoolmistress, Fancy Day. As we follow their budding romance, we also witness the tension between the traditional musicians of the Quire and the progressive local vicar, Parson Maybold, who introduces a church organ that challenges age-old customs. Set against the backdrop of the Victorian era, Hardy paints a vivid picture of a community grappling with change and the impact of technology on cherished traditions. Originally published anonymously in 1872, this gentle pastoral tale is often regarded as Thomas Hardys most tender work. In 2005, it was brought to life in a television adaptation by Ashley Pharoah. (Summary by Rachel Lintern)
