Morrison publishes new book ‘Thomas Hardy: A Companion to the Novels’

Dr. Ronald D. Morrison, professor of English at Morehead State University, has published a new book "Thomas Hardy: A Companion to the Novels." The volume appears in the McFarland Companions to 19th Century Literature series, published by McFarland & Company.  

Thomas Hardy is best known for his realistic portrayal of English rural life in the later part of the 19th century in works like "Far from the Madding Crowd" and "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." Hardy also wrote 14 novels, including an early detective novel, a historical romance and an experimental satirical fable.  

The book is a reference source for advanced students, scholars and general readers. Individual entries in the book focus on the people, cultural forces, literary forms and movements that influenced Hardy's novels. Morrison's book contains entries on all of Hardy's novels and includes suggestions for original readings of each novel, as well as recommendations for further reading.  

"This project was something of a labor of love," Morrison said. "I have spent much of my adult life studying the works of Thomas Hardy, and the Companion allows me to provide a resource to current and future students. I have always believed that research and teaching are complementary activities, and this project offers an excellent example."  

Morrison is a Victorian literature specialist and has published extensively on Hardy and other Victorian authors. At MSU, he has taught courses in Victorian and Romantic literature, including specialized classes on Hardy at the graduate and undergraduate levels. He is also the recipient of the 2004 MSU Distinguished Researcher Award.  

Dr. Ronald Morrison can be reached at r.morris@moreheadstate.edu.  

For more information on MSU's Department of English, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/english.