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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This book sure was... something. My AP Lit. class had to read this book in preparation for the AP, and now that I've finally finished it, Tess of the D'Urbervilles was probably one of the most enjoyable books that I've had to read throughout all four years of high school. I felt genuinely invested in Tess's unfortunate circumstances, and was so when I finally reached the end of the story. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me backup and explain some of the things that this book does great.
First and foremost, Hardy's inclusion of dark humor throughout his novel is straight up brilliant. The man will have you read about a horrible thing happening in the story, follow it up with a joke, and then follow that joke up with even more horrible things that make you feel guilty for laughing at the joke that he just told you! I don't want to mention any specific moments of the book where this happens, because coming up on these little gems blind just makes them so much more amusing, but boy does Hardy do a good job of intertwining comedy with his drama.
Another great feature of Tess of the D'Urbervilles is the primary antagonist of the story,
With all of that said, my main gripe with the story stems from its ending. If so, why go through the pains of writing a book with so many arcs? A simple short story would have promoted the same message much more efficiently. Sadly, I think the time to ask Hardy these questions has long passed.
Overall, I think that Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a wonderful book that everyone should read, as long as they don't mind a bit of a disappointing ending (in my opinion).
Spoiler
devastatedFirst and foremost, Hardy's inclusion of dark humor throughout his novel is straight up brilliant. The man will have you read about a horrible thing happening in the story, follow it up with a joke, and then follow that joke up with even more horrible things that make you feel guilty for laughing at the joke that he just told you! I don't want to mention any specific moments of the book where this happens, because coming up on these little gems blind just makes them so much more amusing, but boy does Hardy do a good job of intertwining comedy with his drama.
Another great feature of Tess of the D'Urbervilles is the primary antagonist of the story,
Spoiler
Alec D'Urberville. Good GOD, never have I hated a fictional 19th century man more in my life! The man is just absolutely awful through and through, and his one brief moment of redemption (where he momentarily becomes a converted man) is immediately ended the instant his faith begins to waiver. To me, Alec D'Urberville is the kind of character that I just love to hate, and it actually brought me real-life joy when I got to the part where Tess kills him. I could write so much about all of the evil things that Alec does throughout the story, but I could also write even more about the REASONS WHY Alec does those awful things. I admire how Hardy was able to construct such a well-rounded villain, and still have him be so hateable.With all of that said, my main gripe with the story stems from its ending.
Spoiler
While I don't believe a happy ending is necessary to bring a story to 5/5 stars, in the case of Tess of the D'Urbervilles, I do believe that its somber ending detracts from its overall message. Throughout the entire novel, Tess is shown to be a pious and selfless woman, willing to sacrifice herself time and time again to help those around her; her biggest flaw being that she will let pride prevent her from seeking help when she needs it most. However, by looking at the original title of the book: "Tess of the D'Urbervilles, a Pure Woman Faithfully Presented", we as the audience know that most of Tess's decisions are meant to come from a place of compassion, not selflessness. And it's these inherently pure aspects of Tess that made me root for her throughout the entire story, and hope that she would receive a happy ending by the novel's conclusion. With that said, Tess's bitter fate left me wondering what the message was that Hardy wanted to convey. Did he want to tell us that the world was too cruel for a pure woman like Tess?Overall, I think that Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a wonderful book that everyone should read, as long as they don't mind a bit of a disappointing ending (in my opinion).
adventurous
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Rape, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
I bought this book because I loved the series. But when I started reading it I couldn't really get in to the story. It was okay to read but I like the series better.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book absolutely destroyed me and yet I couldn't put it down. Stayed up until 2am reading it. Honestly I can't decide if I would recommend it to anyone. Very well written, so well written that it will make you feel the desperation of Tess and an absolute hate for men and society. Unexpected ending. Depressing and yet very thought provoking.
It's hard to separate the characters and their actions from Hardy's intended social critique, especially as a modern audience, and especially because it's the exact opposite reaction contemporary readers had at the time of its publishing.
We see a woman without self-respect whose passivity ruins her life, they saw a rollicking harlot who murders a dude for funsies, so what're you going to do?
We see a woman without self-respect whose passivity ruins her life, they saw a rollicking harlot who murders a dude for funsies, so what're you going to do?
Five stars could seem like a mistake in the near future, and probably it deserve a four actually, but… good lord, this book destroys you, specially if you are a woman. If you are thinking about reading this book, let me guide you through.
At first you’ll be a little bored, it is a book that starts slowly, but with a little constance you will be soon in the middle of the plot. Then you will feel pity for this woman’s life, and will be hoping that something happen. And there will come hope, and you will wondered how can things resolve when the book hasn’t even come to the middle. The answer will arrive soon, when you will experiencie a new emotion (the hardest one): Anger. You will hate the world, because it once was like this, and it forced woman to carry their genre as a sin. Anger will became desesperation, when all things fell apart. But then, at the last part of the book a little hope will appear, a hope so sweet that will leave you empty when it’s masacreted. In the end, all you will feel is emptiness, a monstruous rage sleeping somewhere inside you. And that will be all.
I hated this book, and I loved it because of it.
At first you’ll be a little bored, it is a book that starts slowly, but with a little constance you will be soon in the middle of the plot. Then you will feel pity for this woman’s life, and will be hoping that something happen. And there will come hope, and you will wondered how can things resolve when the book hasn’t even come to the middle. The answer will arrive soon, when you will experiencie a new emotion (the hardest one): Anger. You will hate the world, because it once was like this, and it forced woman to carry their genre as a sin. Anger will became desesperation, when all things fell apart. But then, at the last part of the book a little hope will appear, a hope so sweet that will leave you empty when it’s masacreted. In the end, all you will feel is emptiness, a monstruous rage sleeping somewhere inside you. And that will be all.
I hated this book, and I loved it because of it.
Gahh…this book gives me such conflicting feelings.
It makes me frustrated and angry because nothing truly good EVER happens to this poor girl! Think about it- nothing! I nothing less than despise Alec D’Urberville. The double standards and hypocrisy shown by Angel and Alec are absolutely MADDENING (I do apologize for the all caps, not usual for me). So is all the sexism (some of the descriptions of Tess!), which heavily irritates me even though I know it’s typical to the period.
But then again…there are parts that I really appreciate. I realize that Hardy angers the reader because he wants them reader to sympathize & side with Tess, which is pretty progressive & unusual for his time. Continuing in that vein, the novel is also basically a giant piece of social commentary, which is very interesting to me. There is also some fantastic writing- Hardy knows how to use descriptive language, figurative language, allusions, and more. Tess is all-around a very powerful book, with compelling, complex passages in nearly every chapter that will probably never be fully explored by all the literature scholars in the world.
I did read this book for my AP Literature class, which both improved & made worse my reading experience. I think Tess is a classic for a reason, a book that most people should probably read.
Ultimately…I give it 3 out of 5 stars, though really more 2.5 stars because I feel so split in my opinions.
It makes me frustrated and angry because nothing truly good EVER happens to this poor girl! Think about it- nothing! I nothing less than despise Alec D’Urberville. The double standards and hypocrisy shown by Angel and Alec are absolutely MADDENING (I do apologize for the all caps, not usual for me). So is all the sexism (some of the descriptions of Tess!), which heavily irritates me even though I know it’s typical to the period.
But then again…there are parts that I really appreciate. I realize that Hardy angers the reader because he wants them reader to sympathize & side with Tess, which is pretty progressive & unusual for his time. Continuing in that vein, the novel is also basically a giant piece of social commentary, which is very interesting to me. There is also some fantastic writing- Hardy knows how to use descriptive language, figurative language, allusions, and more. Tess is all-around a very powerful book, with compelling, complex passages in nearly every chapter that will probably never be fully explored by all the literature scholars in the world.
I did read this book for my AP Literature class, which both improved & made worse my reading experience. I think Tess is a classic for a reason, a book that most people should probably read.
Ultimately…I give it 3 out of 5 stars, though really more 2.5 stars because I feel so split in my opinions.
lighthearted
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes