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vinsynt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
4.5
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Death and Toxic relationship
bloomingpear's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
3.75
Graphic: Death and Child death
Moderate: Alcohol, Stalking, Violence, and Toxic relationship
el13's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Hardy’s descriptions of the natural world are beautiful! However, I’m disappointed by the substance of this book. The plot feels deeply sexist. Bathsheba is an antihero of sorts, but is blamed for all the unfortunate events while two of her suitors seem like her complete victims. Though perhaps he is saying that they are victims of their own romanticism projected on a reckless woman who does not truly want them. They have their part to play in the tragedy as well, and women were more dependent on men at the time, especially when stuck in a marriage or in need of resources. Bathsheba may break their hearts, but each of the men in the story prove themselves to be capable of ruining her life. Troy squanders her fortunes and cruelly destroys her heart. Boldwood is delusional and unchecked, harassing a new widow about marrying him. He kills Troy rather than let him be with Bathsheba. Oak doesn’t leave appropriate distance between himself and Bathsheba, and has mixed motivations in everything. At the end, he basically gives an ultimatum: he quits his job as her longstanding farm manager and her business suffers, or they marry .
Many descriptions of women in general as well as Bathsheba specifically are demeaning and untrue. While having a problematic heroine is not a problem, I’m concerned with Hardy’s motivations in writing this. Seemed like he was encouraging an ignorant narrative of woman’s nature (and my footnotes also led me to believe this). I wish books like this were not so prominent in the “classic” English canon we keep in contemporary times. Read for the nature descriptions and to get angry at long-dead men and their sexism.
Many descriptions of women in general as well as Bathsheba specifically are demeaning and untrue. While having a problematic heroine is not a problem, I’m concerned with Hardy’s motivations in writing this. Seemed like he was encouraging an ignorant narrative of woman’s nature (and my footnotes also led me to believe this). I wish books like this were not so prominent in the “classic” English canon we keep in contemporary times. Read for the nature descriptions and to get angry at long-dead men and their sexism.
Moderate: Sexism, Suicide attempt, Child death, and Death
elenavillan's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexism
Moderate: Death and Suicide attempt
nerdkitten's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, Sexism, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Child death
Minor: Pregnancy and War
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