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![Tess of the d'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy - [Wordsworth Classics] - by Thomas Hardy](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/36m8ko1s3warzdwnm3ge3deckuc9)
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
sad
medium-paced
Content warning: rape
This was tragic and so so frustrating. The whole time, I knew things wouldn't end well for Tess, but I kept hoping things would turn out differently. Poor Tess can't catch a fucking break, no matter what she does. She is a victim of circumstance and an unjust society, and is also probably a scapegoat for the gods to just dump all their shit on.
Of course, there's an interesting commentary on puritan victorian England, and the hypocrisy therein. Angel is not a villain for having an affair with an older woman before his marriage, but he villifies Tess for not fighting enough against being raped. Angel is not shunned by society or left destitute, but Tess is. Tess just wants to be happy and have a fulfilling life, but she is stopped at nearly every turn by the ruling class, strict and unattainable moral ideals, and even industrialization itself. Indeed, I appreciated the dichotomy between Nature and industrial machines. Tess is surrounded by Nature language and pagan language, while the novel's machines are written as mechanisms that keep mankind from being close to the natural world. The happiest moments of the book for Tess and Angel (when they are briefly reunited) happen when Tess and Angel eschew society altogether and return to nature for several days. Tess says that "there is trouble out there, and inside here, content". Inside the embrace of nature away from the rest of the world, the sins, morals, doubts, and flaws of the characters are forgiven and unimportant.
I also thought it was interesting that even though Tess and Angel, for a brief time, "overcome" the obstacles they face, they are not actually a good couple. Angel idolizes Tess and sees her as a pure, natural, abiding wife, rather than a real person with flaws and needs. Tess is obsessed with Angel to the point of wanting to take her own life to save him the disgrace of a divorce.
Ultimately, this was a book with interesting ideas, but the reading experience itself was a bit of a slog, and I don't think I'll be returning to it. In all honesty, I only read this because I'm trying to work through my physical TBR, and this was a daunting book on the list.
This was tragic and so so frustrating. The whole time, I knew things wouldn't end well for Tess, but I kept hoping things would turn out differently. Poor Tess can't catch a fucking break, no matter what she does. She is a victim of circumstance and an unjust society, and is also probably a scapegoat for the gods to just dump all their shit on.
Of course, there's an interesting commentary on puritan victorian England, and the hypocrisy therein. Angel is not a villain for having an affair with an older woman before his marriage, but he villifies Tess for not fighting enough against being raped. Angel is not shunned by society or left destitute, but Tess is. Tess just wants to be happy and have a fulfilling life, but she is stopped at nearly every turn by the ruling class, strict and unattainable moral ideals, and even industrialization itself. Indeed, I appreciated the dichotomy between Nature and industrial machines. Tess is surrounded by Nature language and pagan language, while the novel's machines are written as mechanisms that keep mankind from being close to the natural world. The happiest moments of the book for Tess and Angel (when they are briefly reunited) happen when Tess and Angel eschew society altogether and return to nature for several days. Tess says that "there is trouble out there, and inside here, content". Inside the embrace of nature away from the rest of the world, the sins, morals, doubts, and flaws of the characters are forgiven and unimportant.
I also thought it was interesting that even though Tess and Angel, for a brief time, "overcome" the obstacles they face, they are not actually a good couple. Angel idolizes Tess and sees her as a pure, natural, abiding wife, rather than a real person with flaws and needs. Tess is obsessed with Angel to the point of wanting to take her own life to save him the disgrace of a divorce.
Ultimately, this was a book with interesting ideas, but the reading experience itself was a bit of a slog, and I don't think I'll be returning to it. In all honesty, I only read this because I'm trying to work through my physical TBR, and this was a daunting book on the list.
The serial nature was interesting but whew, do I not like classics or feminist lit. Just not for me.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
That was different from most of the historical books I've read. Definitely a unique perspective.
Oh my god, Hardy, marry me. I'd been looking forward to this book for a while, and Tess didn't disappoint -- I don't really know what to say, but it was extraordinarily well-written as always, and generated a lot of good discussion & thought to sink my teeth into. Now onwards to Jude--!
“A strong woman who recklessly throws away her strength, she is worse than a weak woman who has never had any strength to throw away.”
Kudos to Thomas Hardy for writing a book that depicts valid criticism of society's hypocrisy and injustice toward women in his time. Although, there are some things I couldn't wrap my head around, especially some of the heroine's choices. However, it is a melodramatic story where tragedy is destined to strike the heroine's life no matter her choices and I couldn't help but be drawn to her story.
"Why have you treated me so monstrously, Angel! I do not deserve it. I have thought it all over carefully, and I can never, never forgive you!”
It is quite depressing which was hard to get through at times, and the ending left me hollow. but i found beauty in this book somehow.
Kudos to Thomas Hardy for writing a book that depicts valid criticism of society's hypocrisy and injustice toward women in his time. Although, there are some things I couldn't wrap my head around, especially some of the heroine's choices. However, it is a melodramatic story where tragedy is destined to strike the heroine's life no matter her choices and I couldn't help but be drawn to her story.
"Why have you treated me so monstrously, Angel! I do not deserve it. I have thought it all over carefully, and I can never, never forgive you!”
It is quite depressing which was hard to get through at times, and the ending left me hollow. but i found beauty in this book somehow.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really appreciate what Hardy discusses and addresses. This book made me wonder how it was written in the 1880s/90s. It made me emotional. I was angry, sad, distressed at Tess's situation and the horrible life she endured. And that's why I liked it, the fact that Hardy evoked such emotion from me. There were times I thought I would cry because of how horrible women were treated (as Tess is really a symbol of all women.)
Hardy truly is a fantastic writer. He's very good at showing what he wants the reader to see without beating them over the head with it. Hardy has become one of my favorite authors, and one whom I would like to read all of his works.
————————————————————————
Reread May 2020: Yeah, just an absolute masterpiece from start to finish. Almost better on a reread once you’re aware of the foreshadowing and beautiful imagery and metaphors Hardy drops throughout the story. Still a favorite.
Hardy truly is a fantastic writer. He's very good at showing what he wants the reader to see without beating them over the head with it. Hardy has become one of my favorite authors, and one whom I would like to read all of his works.
————————————————————————
Reread May 2020: Yeah, just an absolute masterpiece from start to finish. Almost better on a reread once you’re aware of the foreshadowing and beautiful imagery and metaphors Hardy drops throughout the story. Still a favorite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Classism
Minor: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault