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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
God what an overly depressing book. The way it ended was just WAY to, almost, and upbeat way. Seriously? There were many times when I was reading that book that I couldn't help but go "What the hell is going on here?" For the plot and mostly because I had no idea what the hell was going on. It seemed like Hardy would go too much into the details and discriptions and not spend that much time on the actual plot in the book. I got confused a bit to much for my liking but I still stuck it out to the end. I really don't like the ending of this book, Tess would've been justified for her actions yet she dies. And her husband runs off with her little sister before she's even dead? I mean she gave her wish and all about him looking after her but jesus wait until she's cold a little.
I wasn't that big of a fan of Hardy's style in the book. It seemed that he spent a bit to much on the land and actions or reactions than the actual plot in the book which at times caused me to get confused and even bored with what was going on.
I wasn't that big of a fan of Hardy's style in the book. It seemed that he spent a bit to much on the land and actions or reactions than the actual plot in the book which at times caused me to get confused and even bored with what was going on.
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Evocative descriptions of setting, heavy symbolism, and a critique on Victorian society's hypocritical moralistic views, Thomas Hardy delivers a brilliant feminist novel. This is probably best read for the purpose of exploration of themes and symbols and for a careful analysis rather than just for the story itself though the story does stand on itself.
I did find some moments of this books less interesting (similar to the gripes I've heard regarding the farming portion of Ana Karinnina). As a result, the tedium did drag the brilliance of the story down, but only by one star.
A well plotted and well written Victorian novel which demands examination of the reader.
I did find some moments of this books less interesting (similar to the gripes I've heard regarding the farming portion of Ana Karinnina). As a result, the tedium did drag the brilliance of the story down, but only by one star.
A well plotted and well written Victorian novel which demands examination of the reader.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
I really enjoyed reading this book but the ending was disconcerting. I know it serves the purpose of the novel but at the end, the characters ceased to feel like the characters I'd known and I found their decisions and movements…. I couldn't decide if I believed them or not. Excellent and though-provoking social commentary though.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was really difficult to find the “correct” rating for this book.. on the one hand, I’m an English graduate, so it’s sort of a requirement to have read this book at least once in my lifetime (not least because it’s every English literature student’s dream when it comes to analyzing it because it’s overflowing with literature tropes). And yet, I’m also a person who tried reading this for fun, and fun I definitely did NOT have with this book. For me, it was the personification of “a woman simply exists and men interpret their own little agenda of what this woman simply has to think and do.” I gagged so many times throughout the book when someone described Tess as temptress even though she simply stood somewhere (ideally with her basket), but men kept telling her that her eyes or figure in working clothes was simply too tempting and distracting for them to ignore. To be perfectly honest, if I hadn’t listened to this book on audiobook format and in 1,75 to 2 times speed, I NEVER would have finished it! It was so unbearable listening to the men in this book talk to her and think about her. But unfortunately I’m a completionist, so I had no other choice but listen to it in full because I knew, if I took even the smallest of breaks with it, I never would have finished it. The story itself is great. The writing style is great. I just really hate the prevalent misogyny in the story… which I obviously know was very common for that time period, but the bulk of it in this book made it an unbearable and painful read.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child death
Reminded me of a Victorian "Antigone," with the heroine fulfilling both Oedipus and Antigone 's roles. One of the most hopeless, post modern novels I've ever read.
Well written with intriguing characters, I can see why it's lauded, but once read is enough. Enough pathos for a year.
Well written with intriguing characters, I can see why it's lauded, but once read is enough. Enough pathos for a year.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
I couldn’t say anything about this book that hasn’t already been said, but I thought it was magnificent. Hardy’s deep empathy and love for the titular character really shines through, and writing at a time where victim-shaming (and blaming) was commonplace, it is clear where the author’s sympathies lie. In one of Hardy’s introductions to the text, he says how he did not mean for the book to be either didactic or aggressive. With that said, there is certainly a very strong moralistic satire playing out in the book; the classic Victorian struggle between right and wrong, propriety and desire.
Hardy’s classic themes of industry vs nature are also abundant. Tess is often described as if she is of the natural environment. She is pure and radiant and bucolic in the early descriptions of her. She is then wronged, ravaged, used, and ultimately destroyed by men who would have her for their own gains.
I found myself incredibly moved by Hardy’s poetic prose and felt an immense love for Tess herself. It was a tragic yet beautiful read.
Hardy’s classic themes of industry vs nature are also abundant. Tess is often described as if she is of the natural environment. She is pure and radiant and bucolic in the early descriptions of her. She is then wronged, ravaged, used, and ultimately destroyed by men who would have her for their own gains.
I found myself incredibly moved by Hardy’s poetic prose and felt an immense love for Tess herself. It was a tragic yet beautiful read.
i liked the story. i liked the writing. i liked tess' character. and yet somehow going through this was truly a test for my own patience, because i was incredibly bored all throughout this novel.