A review by shes_reading_ya
Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A lot of people enjoy Thomas Hardy but I can not seem to get onboard with Tess of the D’Urbervilles.  The novel is endlessly on “books you must read before you die” lists and I can’t seem to understand why.  It’s a book of it’s time with clear insights into English Farming life in the 19th century, similar to that of Hardy’s other works including ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’ but it just wasn’t for me.  I pushed through and finished the novel in the end but it took months to get through.