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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Brutal condemnation of the institution of marriage and its corrosive effects on the dreams and independence of young people. Also a stern reminder of the consequences of subliminating our own agency and goals to the wishes of others.
Hardy sure knows how to depress his readers. Poor Jude just couldn't catch a break. Every time something started going right for him, everything else fell apart. As much as I just wanted to slap him for all his stupid decisions, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Being a child raised by an unloving aunt, to being tricked into marriage with the town flirt, and then falling in love with his super flakey cousin, Jude was just destined for a life of misery and failure.
Just finished this book. To be sure, I don't generally like books by dead British fellows, but this one? This one was so dark and depressing, I couldn't help but love it.
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
It took me a while to read this book because it does progress very slowly for about 2/3 of the book. I enjoyed the themes even in the slow parts though. The last 100 pages or so were exceptional and I loathed to put the book down. It's terribly tragic, but an amazing and thought-provoking read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Suicide
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great read. It’s theme, the conflict between modern desires and the backlash of tradition is as true today as it was in 1895
I visited England for the first time this summer, and the countryside felt oddly nostalgic. It was just as Hardy described it in his books! I especially appreciated the layman’s take of Oxford in this one because it seems to follow the reality of failed dreams. The story felt like an ode to pagan religion and the Bible (which I have little knowledge of), as characters are often found quoting it. I’m not sure I agree with the notion of gender roles and marriage, but Hardy makes his point clearly. I love the writing style! And my experiences in Oxford only deepen my appreciation for Hardy’s characterization of them, and how one often lusts for abstract/physical elements.
This book was... different.
I came to it cold, so to speak, with no foreknowledge of the contents.
It is undoubtedly well written. It is also determinedly depressing.
This is probably better read in a classroom setting?
I came to it cold, so to speak, with no foreknowledge of the contents.
It is undoubtedly well written. It is also determinedly depressing.
This is probably better read in a classroom setting?