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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
why is my all time favourite book also the saddest book i’ve ever read?? first things first, i ADORED this book. it took me so long to read because i had to read it for school in lessons and i somehow managed not to spoil it for myself at all. i was sobbing at the entirety of this book. why does she only have like two seconds of happiness?
tess is such a perfect heroine for this book. she has the most morality and yet is punished the most. i feel so bad for her as she suffered at the hands of everyone, even angel although he did try to protect her in the end. she did not deserve her fate at all and im so glad hardy repeatedly made that point. also she ate when she killed alec. was hoping that would happen the entire time.
alec. ew. hate him. rot in hell.
angel is a complex character. it’s clear that hardy does not want us to hate him overall because he’s a product of his time and struggles to break social constraints and a part of him truly does love tess but unfortunately he is a victim of social pressures of the time. of course i hate that he went away from tess for her “sins” and i do believe we shouldn’t still like him at that point and yes he did have a large part to play in tess’ tragic end but he still did what he could given the situation so overall i do relatively like him and do to some extent sympathise with him.
tess’ family - parents especially - are horrible for manipulating her and relying solely on her just because she’s the oldest. yes, they’re in poverty and desperate and do what they can to survive but for gods sake they’re her PARENTS. they repeatedly took advantage of her and played on her strong moral compass and her obligation to her family.
hardy is such an incredible author who was - for obvious reasons - deemed controversial when he published this book. the criticisms he makes about society and institutions such as the church who should help those in need are completely valid. he was a revolutionary author with such a powerful and moving book that i will love forever. i’m forever grateful to my teacher that she chose this book for us even if i was crying my eyes out at the end.
tess is such a perfect heroine for this book. she has the most morality and yet is punished the most. i feel so bad for her as she suffered at the hands of everyone, even angel although he did try to protect her in the end. she did not deserve her fate at all and im so glad hardy repeatedly made that point. also she ate when she killed alec. was hoping that would happen the entire time.
alec. ew. hate him. rot in hell.
angel is a complex character. it’s clear that hardy does not want us to hate him overall because he’s a product of his time and struggles to break social constraints and a part of him truly does love tess but unfortunately he is a victim of social pressures of the time. of course i hate that he went away from tess for her “sins” and i do believe we shouldn’t still like him at that point and yes he did have a large part to play in tess’ tragic end but he still did what he could given the situation so overall i do relatively like him and do to some extent sympathise with him.
tess’ family - parents especially - are horrible for manipulating her and relying solely on her just because she’s the oldest. yes, they’re in poverty and desperate and do what they can to survive but for gods sake they’re her PARENTS. they repeatedly took advantage of her and played on her strong moral compass and her obligation to her family.
hardy is such an incredible author who was - for obvious reasons - deemed controversial when he published this book. the criticisms he makes about society and institutions such as the church who should help those in need are completely valid. he was a revolutionary author with such a powerful and moving book that i will love forever. i’m forever grateful to my teacher that she chose this book for us even if i was crying my eyes out at the end.
Currently crying, will write a more in depth review after I’m recovered
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Rape, Blood
Interesting. The present-day feminist in me was appalled by certain circumstances (I will not give anything major away), but I understood the time period and Tess' circumstances. I did, however, like this a LOT more than Madame Bovary simply because Tess had a mind of her own and didn't blame everything on others or her social status.
The book was long-ish, with two volumes making up its entirety, but I enjoyed the lengthy description. This isn't something I would normally read, but I would recommend it to those who like tragic, Victorian-era England, countryside love stories and long descriptions of farmland.
The book was long-ish, with two volumes making up its entirety, but I enjoyed the lengthy description. This isn't something I would normally read, but I would recommend it to those who like tragic, Victorian-era England, countryside love stories and long descriptions of farmland.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This was a sad book. It started in the style of Jane Austen, like in Pride and Prejudice and Emma, but then it got darker and heavier and ended tragically.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes