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

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

One of the things that shocked me reading Tess of the D’urbervilles was it’s poor reception it recieved from critics along with Hardy’s subsequent release of Jude the obscure; resulting in him abandoning prose altogether and embracing poetry instead. So going into Tess was quite interesting to say the least as I was constantly weighing up its classic reputation(among contemporary critics)and its reputation among critics of the time it was written. I then arrived at the conclusion favouring the former Tess of the D’urbervilles is a harrowing staple of victorian literature with one of the most tragic characters ever penned to page. It’s very rare you read a novel whilst bubbling with complete rage, be it at the hypocrisy of Victorian society and the double standards which the characters impose on our tragic heroine Tess, who constantly suffers again and again throughout the course of the novel because of this. Born from a poor rural family, Tess Durbyfield is a character who embodies innocence and purity both of which deteriorate as we watch our heroine slowly change as society taints her and robs her of her most valuable traits. We have her family her father of whom is presented first within the Novel, a hearty old man full of vigour, finding out the family are descendants of an ancient line known as the D’urbervilles, he sets forth wishing to claim what is rightfully theirs. Along with John we have the rest of her family Joan Abraham Eliza and Liza lu, making up Tess’s family. And we cannot mention Tess without her partner Angel Clare who’s character arc is one of the most fascinating and sickening in all of literature, his most valuable traits, much like Tess’s of honour, chivalry and purity are not just tainted but shattered as we watch the man ironically commit sin abhorrent to his prideful character as he leaves our heroine forlorn in a state of saudade. All in all without wanting to spoil the novel futher Tess of the D’urbervilles is a classic that should be read and endlessly re-read, as Tess’s journey is one to be followed and grieved by all.