“It was at present a place perfectly accordant with man's nature—neither ghastly, hateful, nor ugly; neither commonplace, unmeaning, nor tame; but, like man, slighted and enduring; and withal singularly colossal and mysterious in its swarthy monotony. As with some persons who have long lived apart, solitude seemed to look out of its countenance. It had a lonely face, suggesting tragical possibilities.”

— Thomas Hardy, book The Return of the Native

Bk. I, ch. 1
The Return of the Native (1878)

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Thomas Hardy171

English novelist and poet 1840–1928

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Thomas Hardy171

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