Title: Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Author: Thomas Hardy
Genre: Classic/Romance/Tragedy
Pages: 592
Rating (out of 5 stars): *** 1/2
Reviewed by: Jenn
Description: Tess, a girl who grows into a woman through the course of the novel, is a victim of her society and circumstances. After she is taken advantage of by Alec d'Urberville, her life is changed forever. Her rustic and crude parents don't do anything to help her case, and in the 18th century, a woman in her position doesn't stand a chance at having the life she dreams of. Still, Tess is uncommonly pretty, and when she falls in love with Angel Clare, things look promising. Can there be hope for a woman so feebly taken in sin? (I'm leaving this ambiguous, but if you're an idealist, don't forget to notice the genre above).
Author: Thomas Hardy
Genre: Classic/Romance/Tragedy
Pages: 592
Rating (out of 5 stars): *** 1/2
Reviewed by: Jenn
Description: Tess, a girl who grows into a woman through the course of the novel, is a victim of her society and circumstances. After she is taken advantage of by Alec d'Urberville, her life is changed forever. Her rustic and crude parents don't do anything to help her case, and in the 18th century, a woman in her position doesn't stand a chance at having the life she dreams of. Still, Tess is uncommonly pretty, and when she falls in love with Angel Clare, things look promising. Can there be hope for a woman so feebly taken in sin? (I'm leaving this ambiguous, but if you're an idealist, don't forget to notice the genre above).
Thoughts: This novel is considered by some to be one of the greatest works of English literature. Hardy definitely knows what he's doing. He tells a compelling story that couldn't be a more perfect tragedy, complete with symbolism, allusions to all sorts of important texts, irony, and passion. I feel like his writing feels like a combination between Jane Austen and Dickens (although the subject matter is quite different). It is enjoyable and smooth reading, and it really makes the reader question what 18th century England could do to a poor girl, all without having any idea that they were doing anything unjust.
Disclaimer: None.
Notes: I listened to the audio version of this book read by Davina Porter, which I would recommend.
3 comments:
I've been meaning to read this book for a while now. I recently read The Mayor of Casterbridge by Hardy and I really liked it.
I'm glad that you enjoyed Tess! Thomas Hardy is one of my favorites, and he has a talent for writing very good depressing stories.
I picked up the Mayor of Casterbridge a few years ago without knowing much about Hardy at all, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed his writing style and storyline--very classic written with the ability to tell a page-turning story. It was a great read, so I followed up with "Return of the Native" which I also enjoyed. I'll have to try Tess out when I get a minute. I would really recommend "Mayor of Casterbridge."
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