A Pair of Blue Eyes
Elfride Swancourt, the daughter of a rector on the north Cornish coast, falls in love with Stephen Smith, a young architect sent to restore her father's church. Her father objects to his humble birth; a secret engagement and a bungled elopement follow. Then Stephen's older friend and mentor, the critic Henry Knight, arrives in the parish, and Elfride finds herself drawn to a man whose idea of a woman is one who has never been kissed. Published in 1873 under Hardy's own name for the first time, the novel contains the scene on a cliff face that is said to have given English the word "cliffhanger." It is a tragedy of small concealments and male vanity, set on the coast where Hardy met his wife. Read it online in your browser on Vinteuil; the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about A Pair of Blue Eyes
A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read A Pair of Blue Eyes online?
Yes. A Pair of Blue Eyes opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is A Pair of Blue Eyes free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of A Pair of Blue Eyes is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is A Pair of Blue Eyes in the public domain?
Yes. A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read A Pair of Blue Eyes?
About 8 h 45 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is A Pair of Blue Eyes?
A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
