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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I love Hardy's novels. I love his landscapes and their textures, his characters and plots. This one is beautiful and devastating, and my favorite of his books - maybe because I was no longer young when I read it. Not for the faint-of-heart.
This was a struggle! If I hadn't been buddy reading I may have DNFd this classic. I'm sure there's historical value here, but the plot and characters make that aspect very hard to appreciate. It was miserable following Jude and there wasn't enough that I enjoyed about the prose/plotting/themes to make me want to keep reading. I really hope that the next Hardy will be more to my taste.
This book depressed me for days...I'm not sure if I think that makes it a good or a bad book....
I probably have no business reviewing this at all, since I've gotten only halfway through the book. And that was three years ago. I adore Hardy, so what the hell is it about this tome that had me putting it aside every time I progressed a few pages? Maybe because it was taking so long for things to happen, for Chrissake. I've read about how this book shocked society through all the horrid things that happened, and I'm like- okay, where do these horrible things happen? Page 300? Maybe I'm just hyperactive.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
Typical Hardy! I love all of his work. I love his writing style. I took off one star because I hated all the characters except the old widow neighbor, and she was a supporting character. The character I hated most was Sue. 🙄
dark
sad
slow-paced
I actually like Hardy's writing... but some things are unforgivable. I mean, really.
So while I enjoyed the read - knowing, of course, that it would be a model of unnecessary tragedy - I was quite put out with him over a single incident that happened. Death and misery and unhappiness and stupid choices are expected when reading Hardy. I mean, there are happy bits in there too. I knew it would end badly. I was prepared.
But... but...
Oh, Thomas Hardy, I can forgive you everything but the children.
So while I enjoyed the read - knowing, of course, that it would be a model of unnecessary tragedy - I was quite put out with him over a single incident that happened. Death and misery and unhappiness and stupid choices are expected when reading Hardy. I mean, there are happy bits in there too. I knew it would end badly. I was prepared.
But... but...
Oh, Thomas Hardy, I can forgive you everything but the children.