A FREE event will give people the chance to meet the author of a book that delves into the love life of one of the county’s most famous sons.

Thomas Hardy: 10 Lovers, 50 Poems has been written by Giles Keating and explores Thomas Hardy’s love life through 50 of his most stunning poems, reproduced in full and brought to life with dramatised readings and photographs.

Giles is coming to Waterstones on South Street, Dorchester this Thursday (November 6) from 6pm to 8pm to discuss his book and take any questions.

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Mark Chutter, chair of the Thomas Hardy Society, has written the foreword and will introduce the book, and there will be comments by the author. Both the speakers will also read a short poem.

Organisers said: “This is an unusual book: partly an anthology of Hardy’s love poems, arranged in chapters each relating to one of his romantic partners; partly a set of extended notes on the poems, both on his poetical methods (in non-technical language) and setting the biographical context of both Hardy and his partners for the verses, including some new research notably on the fate of Eliza Nicholls; and partly a picture-book, with wonderful illustrations by local artist Noah Warnes and still shots from the short films of each poem.

“These are available online and feature dramatised readings by Dorset actors as well as interviews with Hardy scholars such as author Paula Byrne and Mark himself. They were shot at Athelhampton House by a team led by Howard Payton (who will be present on the 6th).”