Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
The first time I heard of this book was when I asked a former teacher I disliked what her favorite book was. She mentioned this title and I knew if I read this book then I would understand her more. After reading this book, I fully understand why we did not get along. This was one of the most disappointing reads I have ever read and it is as much the main character's fault as the supporting characters.
Tess is suppose to be a strong character but Mr. Hardy seems determined to make sure she is as pathetic, idiotic, and helpless a person as possible. How could someone not recognize that someone who was forcing you to do things you were uncomfortable doing (force feeding fruit to you) would take it further if you don't separate yourself, tell someone, or tell them to stop? Tess seems destined to accept terrible treatment. If she grew from these experiences then it would be better but she did not. She just accepts the terrible treatment and repeatedly guess back to the men who use her, do not love her, and who she does not trust or love either. The men are absolute pigs and insults to the make species. If all Victorian people were this way then I am glad I was not around then.
Mr. Hardy was trying to talk about serious issues but they just don't seem to reach the reader because of how unsure he wrote the characters. They kept being so wishy-washy throughout the entire novel. Honestly, it seems like Mr. Hardy hated both men and women and was intending to make everyone else hate them too. Here was extremely successful because I greatly dislike EVERYONE in this story except the baby.
At first I thought I misremembered the sorry so I reread it from June 1-5, 2016. The only positive I can say about this book is that it makes me determined to not be like any of these characters. I will never put myself in such a stuck position as Tess did. Rereading the novel makes me hate it all the more.
Tess is suppose to be a strong character but Mr. Hardy seems determined to make sure she is as pathetic, idiotic, and helpless a person as possible. How could someone not recognize that someone who was forcing you to do things you were uncomfortable doing (force feeding fruit to you) would take it further if you don't separate yourself, tell someone, or tell them to stop? Tess seems destined to accept terrible treatment. If she grew from these experiences then it would be better but she did not. She just accepts the terrible treatment and repeatedly guess back to the men who use her, do not love her, and who she does not trust or love either. The men are absolute pigs and insults to the make species. If all Victorian people were this way then I am glad I was not around then.
Mr. Hardy was trying to talk about serious issues but they just don't seem to reach the reader because of how unsure he wrote the characters. They kept being so wishy-washy throughout the entire novel. Honestly, it seems like Mr. Hardy hated both men and women and was intending to make everyone else hate them too. Here was extremely successful because I greatly dislike EVERYONE in this story except the baby.
At first I thought I misremembered the sorry so I reread it from June 1-5, 2016. The only positive I can say about this book is that it makes me determined to not be like any of these characters. I will never put myself in such a stuck position as Tess did. Rereading the novel makes me hate it all the more.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I see the importance of the themes, as well as the scandal this explicit mention must have caused in the 19th century. I also cannot help but once again be in great awe of Hardy's masterful lyricism of the prose. However, Tess turned out to be one of my least-like protagonists; she lacked agency in her own story so much, it made me frustrated. The passivity is slightly understandable given the storytelling, but the sheer naiveté and blind adoration of Angel was difficult for me to sympathise with. Sorry not sorry.
challenging
dark
tense
slow-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
Trigger warning - rape, spousal abuse
Oh my goodness. This book was absolutely phenomenal. It was sophisticated and heartbreaking and I loved every page of it. I loved Tess so much and though I was often annoyed with him I loved Angel too. Alec was wrong but I understood him. The beauty and absolute despair of this book was beautifully realized and utterly captivating. I look forward to reading many Thomas Hardy books in the extremely near future. This book was amazing.
Oh my goodness. This book was absolutely phenomenal. It was sophisticated and heartbreaking and I loved every page of it. I loved Tess so much and though I was often annoyed with him I loved Angel too. Alec was wrong but I understood him. The beauty and absolute despair of this book was beautifully realized and utterly captivating. I look forward to reading many Thomas Hardy books in the extremely near future. This book was amazing.
challenging
emotional
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
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
I really looked forward to reading this book for a while and I guess I set myself up for disappointment, don't get me wrong I still liked it. I think it's very good and very important and I want more people to read it, but it just wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. I mean its a depressing book, but still.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is some of the most utterly beautiful writing I've ever read and I am also emotionally devastated. This is one that's going to stick with me in the long term. However, f*ck Alec D'urberville and f*ck Angel Clare, Tess deserved better than both of you men in her life. Tess deserved better than any of the hell she went through at the hands of these two wastes of space.
I understand the values of this novel within its context. However, I found the book a little slow. Tess is an excellent reflection on shifting Victorian values.