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rafalovesreading's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Gaslighting, Grief, Sexism, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, and Rape
lostinthelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Although I see this book mainly as an exploration of how women's actions are policed and judged, it still touches on other subjects such as poverty, industrialisation, and rural Britain's changing face in the 19th century. And as always, it includes Hardy's lush descriptions of landscapes, settings, and weather that he is unmatched for.
Not a happy classic, but an important one nonetheless.
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Alcoholism
angelbabe_cj's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, and Sexism
Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Grief, Death, and Child death
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
hannahr's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
When she moves to a dairy farm to work as a milkmaid, she both intimidates and awes the other young women, who admire her beauty and fortitude. The same qualities entrance Angel Clare, a pastor's son who has decided not to pursue a career in the church, rather hoping to buy and run a farm of his own. This ill-fated love story takes one depressing turn after another, and it is difficult to read about the life of Tess, who is subject to countless double standards based on her sexuality and wealth.
This book has stunning descriptions of nature and rural life, and it is meaningful for its early criticism of the expectations of young women and their purity. However, I found it phenomenally boring until the completely surprising ending, which seemed to come out of nowhere, and to be honest, I didn't really buy the whole premise of the Durbyfields descending from the d'Urbervilles. I wasn't convinced by the peasant, and it frustrated me that everyone accepted this truth outright, which really threw off my enjoyment of the entire book. Frankly, it seemed like more of a plot device than anything, serving more to bring Tess and Alec together than to actually impact the character of our heroine, and I found this to be distracting and frustrating.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence