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A review by rich71
Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
5.0
Hardy's well-known book focuses primarily on Tess, a young woman preyed upon by a man who leaves her pregnant and without a husband. This event casts her upon the sea of society's judgements. Although she attempts to flee her past, it follows her throughout her life and leaves her at the mercy of the horrible double-standard of western society.
While this is definitely a tragedy, Hardy's insights into society's hypocrisy and religious judgement informs the reader as much today as it should have during his day. This book was scandalous in its time and was burned and banned by the very types of people he scorned and profiled in his book. This was my first foray into Hardy's work and he has ascended to the level of Dickens and Hugo in my mind. I look forward to his other masterpieces.
While this is definitely a tragedy, Hardy's insights into society's hypocrisy and religious judgement informs the reader as much today as it should have during his day. This book was scandalous in its time and was burned and banned by the very types of people he scorned and profiled in his book. This was my first foray into Hardy's work and he has ascended to the level of Dickens and Hugo in my mind. I look forward to his other masterpieces.