Story Discussion The Three Strangers by Thomas Hardy 25 March 2026 at 18:45 (MSK) at Svetlovka Tomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English novelist and poet, originally from Dorset. His work is deeply rooted in the fictional region of Wessex, which vividly portrays the rural English countryside of the 19th century. While he saw himself primarily non as a poet, he first gained fame for his novels, which often depicted tragic characters struggling against the immense forces of an indifferent universe, rigid social conventions, and their own passions. Works like Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure were so controversial for their frank pessimism and criticism of Victorian society that Hardy abandoned fiction to focus on poetry, through which he continued to explore his somber, fatalistic vision and became a major influence on later English poets. In The Three Strangers a stormy night in the English countryside, a cheerful gathering in a lonely shepherd’s cottage, is interrupted by unexpected visitors. As strangers arrive one by one, the warm atmosphere of music, drink, and celebration slowly turns into something far more tense. Let’s dive into this story of chance encounters, hidden identities, and the thin line between justice and fate. If you wish to participate in the discussion, read the story beforehand. ⚡️⚡️Please don't forget to sign up on Timepad.