A review by goldfishlaser
Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy

5.0

This was a tragic story that reminded me of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. I felt deeply sympathetic for the protagonists and their ruminations and confusion. The book searched me of many thoughts on how moralities attempt to govern romance and caused me to reflect on the difficulty of keeping a clear eye and acting authentically when the nature of one's feelings would bring society's censure or destroy the loved one's peace. As somewhat of an obscure intellectual myself, I have felt similar conflicts when, a nominal student of wisdom, in actual dealings, act or am tempted to act with impulse or hidden intention, or against my circumstances, or in misguided self-immolation.