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embennet's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
avabevs's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
monazaneefer's review against another edition
3.0
Why, Hardy, why!
I honestly thought that, after scrounging through his work (which have failed to impress me except FFTMC), I have finally finally found my second favourite Hardy novel. But that ending!
At first, when we were led to believe Grace was the one trapped in the man-trap, I thought khalas, she's dead and I'd have been more satisfied with that ending after Giles' death. But for her to go back to Fitzpiers is a baffling way to wrap it up, especially if one would assume this novel to be credible and well-developed (character and story-wise).
The Mill on the Floss was the last book that had utterly ruined an almost-favourite...so much so that it is one of the most frustrating novels I have read! The Woodlanders feels like a close second - although I'll admit my reading experience was without the intensity and ardour I had read the former with, mainly due to the little scenes we had of Giles, Giles + Grace.
I feel like I have little hope for the rest of Hardy's oeuvre. Because not only have some failed to grasp my interest (Desperate Remedies, Mayor of Casterbridge) but one has now managed to thoroughly disappoint me, feelings of which culminate to an irrevocable distrustful yet indifferent view of his works as a whole - melodramatic as it sounds.
Emotions aside, this book had wonderful descriptions and created Giles Winterborne. However, the characters overall very much lacked depth.
3 stars is for writing, Giles and Grace.
Edit: 2.30 hrs later and I am still mulling over this story - its evocative, immersive descriptions, of poor Giles - but when reading over my own review, rationale supersedes and I know in the future, I mostly likely won't change my mind about how the ending ruins this story.
I honestly thought that, after scrounging through his work (which have failed to impress me except FFTMC), I have finally finally found my second favourite Hardy novel. But that ending!
Spoiler
I actually had tears in my eyes when Giles died. I don't think I've ever cried reading before o.O I was blindsided by this turn in the story because for some reason I assumed this was a happy-ending book. But oh gosh, the events that succeed that were incomprehensible. The actions of Grace to accept Fitzpiers makes zero sense and then Marty, with her eulogy at Giles' grave to state that now Grace has forgotten him, washes over the entire story arc we had been reading of Giles and Grace! ugh. I'm honestly annoyed.At first, when we were led to believe Grace was the one trapped in the man-trap, I thought khalas, she's dead and I'd have been more satisfied with that ending after Giles' death. But for her to go back to Fitzpiers is a baffling way to wrap it up, especially if one would assume this novel to be credible and well-developed (character and story-wise).
The Mill on the Floss was the last book that had utterly ruined an almost-favourite...so much so that it is one of the most frustrating novels I have read! The Woodlanders feels like a close second - although I'll admit my reading experience was without the intensity and ardour I had read the former with, mainly due to the little scenes we had of Giles, Giles + Grace.
I feel like I have little hope for the rest of Hardy's oeuvre. Because not only have some failed to grasp my interest (Desperate Remedies, Mayor of Casterbridge) but one has now managed to thoroughly disappoint me, feelings of which culminate to an irrevocable distrustful yet indifferent view of his works as a whole - melodramatic as it sounds.
Emotions aside, this book had wonderful descriptions and created Giles Winterborne. However, the characters overall very much lacked depth.
3 stars is for writing, Giles and Grace.
Edit: 2.30 hrs later and I am still mulling over this story - its evocative, immersive descriptions, of poor Giles - but when reading over my own review, rationale supersedes and I know in the future, I mostly likely won't change my mind about how the ending ruins this story.
adholmes3's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ruth_louise86's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
liisu's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kiri_johnston's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Absolutely loved this! It had a slow start, but soon became my favourite Hardy novel :)
storyslats's review against another edition
3.0
It was an enjoyable read. It is actually 3.5 stars, but I rounded down. I wish I cared a little more for the heroine of the piece. The book isn't quite as tragic as some of his other books, but not uplifting either. Hardy's descriptions of the rural life are wonderful.
arf88's review against another edition
4.0
I was warned before I started reading this that Thomas Hardy is a miserable bastard. Four chapters in and he was comparing winter mornings to dead babies so I can't disagree.
This wasn't a happy book but I did enjoy it. Hardy's prose are beautiful and the way he describes the forests and apple orchards really brings the setting to live.
I liked the characters for the most part. There are two typically "good" and "moral" characters and both get the saddest endings with one dying and the other doomed to a life of loneliness, shackled by their own faithfulness.
There are no real "bad" characters. They're judgmental and selfish and they ruin their own lives and the lives of those around them by making the wrong choices. Even the main villains of the piece have fully human motivations and flaws.
But yeah, Hardy is one miserable bastard and this is one miserable book.
This wasn't a happy book but I did enjoy it. Hardy's prose are beautiful and the way he describes the forests and apple orchards really brings the setting to live.
I liked the characters for the most part. There are two typically "good" and "moral" characters and both get the saddest endings with one dying and the other doomed to a life of loneliness, shackled by their own faithfulness.
There are no real "bad" characters. They're judgmental and selfish and they ruin their own lives and the lives of those around them by making the wrong choices. Even the main villains of the piece have fully human motivations and flaws.
But yeah, Hardy is one miserable bastard and this is one miserable book.
perjacxis's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. This deals with really interesting topics and has fascinating characters, but most of the action only starts after 200 pages ... such a shame.