A Changed Man and Other Stories

In these short stories Hardy's love of the eerie and the supernatural is brought out in full measure, as is his skill in depicting topographical detail. In the title story, set in Casterbridge, a young Hussar captain comes to the town when his regiment is posted to the barracks there. Before long he becomes engaged to Laura, said to be a born 'player of hearts'. Handsome and coveted by all the young maidens, Captain Maumbry seems the perfect match for Laura, who has long desired to enter heart and soul into a military romance. But then a new parson comes to town and though he first irritates the Captain by requesting a stop to regimental band-playing on Sundays, the two later become close friends. When the Captain subsequently announces his intention of resigning his commission and entering the Church as a curate, it causes consternation all round. What changes will it wreak on the small community, on Laura, and not least on Maumbry himself?