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reesespuff6's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual assault, Death, Gore, Murder, Misogyny, and Incest
terrificarno's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
elanuruysal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Rape, and Sexism
Moderate: Child death and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent and Murder
lori3n's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Emotional abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
stephh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
It's been a solid 10 years since I read this, and although I didn't enjoy it as much as my initial read, it was still an excellent book in being a shocking read for its time. I love reading a book that's been banned or censored in the past and seeing what content made people upset, and this is a really interesting example.
As the oldest sister of her family, it's Tess' responsibility to look after her siblings (and her parents when they get too drunk at the local pub). But when her father finds out their family goes back to an ancient noble family called the D'Ubervilles, the pressure on Tess is about to increase. Sent away to a distant relative, Tess is assaulted by a 'cousin' of hers, and must spend the rest of her life deciding whether to tell people or keep this a big secret.
I'd really forgotten how quickly you descend into the drama in this book. I think within the first 50 pages or so, we see Tess' r*pe by the villain Alex D'Uberville. The next 300 or so pages are very Hardy-esque and were very slow and descriptive, and then the final 100 or so really shocked me and kept me turning the pages. I'd completely forgotten how this ends, and it was a real revelation to see what actually happened towards the book's end. This is of course absolutely one of Hardy's greats, and you can see why it's studied.
As the oldest sister of her family, it's Tess' responsibility to look after her siblings (and her parents when they get too drunk at the local pub). But when her father finds out their family goes back to an ancient noble family called the D'Ubervilles, the pressure on Tess is about to increase. Sent away to a distant relative, Tess is assaulted by a 'cousin' of hers, and must spend the rest of her life deciding whether to tell people or keep this a big secret.
I'd really forgotten how quickly you descend into the drama in this book. I think within the first 50 pages or so, we see Tess' r*pe by the villain Alex D'Uberville. The next 300 or so pages are very Hardy-esque and were very slow and descriptive, and then the final 100 or so really shocked me and kept me turning the pages. I'd completely forgotten how this ends, and it was a real revelation to see what actually happened towards the book's end. This is of course absolutely one of Hardy's greats, and you can see why it's studied.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
marageorge's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Child death
laurendart's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
redisreading's review
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A beautiful story about trauma and how it can alter a person. A book about how violence completed it's circle. An absolute must-read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Rape, and Murder
ok7a's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Abandonment and Murder
Minor: Stalking, Death of parent, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
lallen's review against another edition
The plot got so depressing for me. I had to go read a synopsis to decide if I could besr the rest of it out and I decided not- I was happy to know that eventually there was a happy end, but Tess had a rough enough life until this part happened!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death and Rape