Classic novel by Thomas Hardy, &quot;A Laodicean&quot; received very good reviews when published in 1881.<br /><br />The <i>Laodicean</i> (someone whose religious beliefs are &ldquo;lukewarm&rdquo;) of the title is Paula Power who bought the ancient castle De Stancy which she is determined to restore. Being of a modern frame of mind, she has the telegraph connected to the castle &ndash; and uses it all the time in the course of the story.<br />George Somerset is a young architect who is invited to compete for the chance of the commission to restore the castle and who falls in love with Paula.<br />However, the brother of Paula&rsquo;s great friend Charlotte De Stancy &ndash; of the aristocratic family that once owned the castle &ndash; aided by his villainous illegitimate son, sets out to win Paula for himself.<br />Although Paula likes the idea of being a De Stancy, she is drawn to George from the start. The various machinations of De Stancy and his son keep the narrative moving along at a fast pace.<br /><br />&quot;A Laodicean&quot; is regarded as Hardy&#39;s most autobiographical novel with its thinly veiled incidents from early adult life of the author.&nbsp;