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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An easily manipulable young woman meets a succession of dick-head men and amazingly . I do like Hardy, but his characters are so bloody frustrating it is hard when reading not to scream out, pantomime style, "he's behind you", "for the love of god, don't do that", etc. etc.
Spoiler
only stabs one of them
Second read: October 2018. 4 stars
Tess didn’t quite capture me like it did the first time, but I still loved it nonetheless. A brilliant story, with a real sense of importance to it. I love the characters, and how Hardy is able to do so much with them. The story is a defining read for the century, as Hardy subverts past morality on sexuality. A brilliant read - definitely give it a go if you haven’t already.
First read: March 2017. 5 stars
Oh. My. GOD. I LOVE THIS BOOK. It's been such a long time since I was completely mesmerised by a book that I couldn't stop reading, or I couldn't stop thinking about it, and then I pick this up and it's taken over me. Oh my gosh.
- In general, the plot was amazing. The subtitle of the novel is called 'A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented by Thomas Hardy' which tells you all you need to know really. It's about this wonderfully charming girl, Tess, who meets with an unfortunate event (her rape). The story then follows on from that, exploring her life and how this situation seems to haunt her. She meets Angel Clare, a v. cute guy. They then develop feelings for each other, but revelations happen, etc. etc. etc.
- I don't want to give too much away just yet, but let me just say that I freaking love Tess!!!! (Besides when she is pining over Clare - like u deserve so much more than him!!!). She wasn't your average 19th century heroine which really captured my attention. All I ever really read is 19th century lit nowadays, so it was quite refreshing to see a new take on women that is usually left unexplored. She was wonderful and I love her a lot. Yes ok.
-Moving on, I have a love/hate relationship with Angel. I freaking love him every time he is with Tess, but when he's not, I WANT TO KILL HIM. He had sex before marriage right, yet deserts Tess for being impure (ALTHOUGH SHE WAS RAPED???) Wtf man, such a hypocrite. It's not her fault she was raped!??!?! Yes, maybe she shouldn't have kept it a secret for so long, but ditching her to go to Brazil?? Man, what a douche. I seriously hated him for so long, but then he came back and I freaKING SWOONED OVER HIM. UGH, I HATE MEN.
- I have three words for Alec - disgusting, creepy PIG.
- Ok, so sorry this isn't a really coherent review on the book, I've literally just finished it and I haven't formulated my thoughts on it properly yet. I don't really know what I'm typing, I'm just typing yes ok I'll be writing a review on it though, so once that's done, I'll update this and you can read a proper review.
But all you need to know is: I love this book and I think you should too.
Tess didn’t quite capture me like it did the first time, but I still loved it nonetheless. A brilliant story, with a real sense of importance to it. I love the characters, and how Hardy is able to do so much with them. The story is a defining read for the century, as Hardy subverts past morality on sexuality. A brilliant read - definitely give it a go if you haven’t already.
First read: March 2017. 5 stars
Oh. My. GOD. I LOVE THIS BOOK. It's been such a long time since I was completely mesmerised by a book that I couldn't stop reading, or I couldn't stop thinking about it, and then I pick this up and it's taken over me. Oh my gosh.
- In general, the plot was amazing. The subtitle of the novel is called 'A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented by Thomas Hardy' which tells you all you need to know really. It's about this wonderfully charming girl, Tess, who meets with an unfortunate event (her rape). The story then follows on from that, exploring her life and how this situation seems to haunt her. She meets Angel Clare, a v. cute guy. They then develop feelings for each other, but revelations happen, etc. etc. etc.
- I don't want to give too much away just yet, but let me just say that I freaking love Tess!!!! (Besides when she is pining over Clare - like u deserve so much more than him!!!). She wasn't your average 19th century heroine which really captured my attention. All I ever really read is 19th century lit nowadays, so it was quite refreshing to see a new take on women that is usually left unexplored. She was wonderful and I love her a lot. Yes ok.
-Moving on, I have a love/hate relationship with Angel. I freaking love him every time he is with Tess, but when he's not, I WANT TO KILL HIM. He had sex before marriage right, yet deserts Tess for being impure (ALTHOUGH SHE WAS RAPED???) Wtf man, such a hypocrite. It's not her fault she was raped!??!?! Yes, maybe she shouldn't have kept it a secret for so long, but ditching her to go to Brazil?? Man, what a douche. I seriously hated him for so long, but then he came back and I freaKING SWOONED OVER HIM. UGH, I HATE MEN.
- I have three words for Alec - disgusting, creepy PIG.
- Ok, so sorry this isn't a really coherent review on the book, I've literally just finished it and I haven't formulated my thoughts on it properly yet. I don't really know what I'm typing, I'm just typing yes ok I'll be writing a review on it though, so once that's done, I'll update this and you can read a proper review.
But all you need to know is: I love this book and I think you should too.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow... this one was heartbreaking and still eerily relevant today. Domineering men, double standards, obsession, and all this written by a man in the 1800s - just wow. Also so well written, with the details of pastoral life nicely captured. Love it to bits.
Depressing and morose.
The story has potential but the main character needs some backbone.
The story has potential but the main character needs some backbone.
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced