Under The Greenwood Tree; Or, The Mellstock Quire

Thomas Hardy, an English author, wrote a book titled Under the Greenwood Tree: A Rural Painting of the Dutch School. The Mellstock Parish Choir, a group of west gallery musicians, and one of their members, Dick Dewy, who develops a romantic interest in the attractive new local schoolmistress Fancy Day, are the protagonists of the novel. Dick first notices Fancy when the choir and fiddlers are making their rounds in Mellstock village on Christmas Eve in the first scene of the book. Dick tries to ingratiate himself into Fancy's life and affections, but the wealthy farmer Shiner and the new parish priest Mr. Maybold are among the other suitors drawn to her attractiveness. Fancy and Dick secretly get engaged, but Fancy's father is initially against it. However, once Fancy stops eating, he changes his mind. Following Fancy's first Sunday service as organist, Maybold drops the question and assures her of a life of great wealth. She agrees, but later finds out that she has already been spoken for when she meets Dick by coincidence. She is warned by Maybold to be truthful with Dick and to break off her engagement with him if she truly meant what she said. How Dick will get her love? Read the complete novel where the author has beautifully crafted the plot.