There are numerous maps in existence. It is known that Hardy drew sketch maps outlining the settings he imagined for his fiction. There are, of course, the two maps that were included in the Wessex Novels Edition and in the Wessex Edition. So far it has only been little known that Hardy's literary critics preceded him in the production of a map of his fictional region. Thus, in addition to textual alterations Hardy continued to make throughout his career, maps of Wessex can be seen as one example of how Hardy's development of Wessex is a result of constant interaction between author and his readers.

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