Two on a Tower
Lady Viviette Constantine, twenty-eight, is alone on her husband's estate while he hunts lions in Africa and shows no sign of returning. On a hill in her park stands a column, and in it she finds Swithin St. Cleeve, a beautiful young man of twenty who has turned the top into an observatory and cares for nothing but the stars. She buys him a telescope; he teaches her the sky; they fall in love across a gap of class and years. What follows involves a secret marriage, a legacy with conditions attached, a bishop and a long absence abroad. Published in 1882, the novel sets, in Hardy's words, two infinitesimal lives against the stupendous background of the stellar universe. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter 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 Two on a Tower
Two on a Tower 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 Two on a Tower online?
Yes. Two on a Tower 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 Two on a Tower free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Two on a Tower 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 Two on a Tower in the public domain?
Yes. Two on a Tower 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 Two on a Tower?
About 6 h 17 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 Two on a Tower?
Two on a Tower by Thomas Hardy is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
