poppyleab97's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
sunnyrae21's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hannahrmcl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
monikapuff's review against another edition
2.0
I just can't with this book! It made me so angry, and if I wanted to hit everyone in Wuthering Heights, I have a strong wish to murder everyone in Tess Of the D'Urbervilles.
First, I just can't understand Tess' mother and father: is money and status really that important they so easily said buy to their teenage daughter, who had no idea what word is like, and send her off in clutches of man they have never met?! Answer is yes, unfortunately. And they didn't get any better.
Second, I felt so bad for Tess in the beginning, she was young and naive, and Alec was a real douche and jerk. But she didn't learn almost anything from her experience! She left, again, in order to pay back to her family 'for troubles she caused them', blamed herself for everything and anything, thought she deserved whatever punishment Angel thought of for her 'betrayal', had no self-respect and no sense of self-preservation... I mean, give that girl a break. But still, I couldn't understand some of her actions and thoughts.
Third, Angel, that hypocritical bastard! He should've died in Brasil, honestly. I don't even wanna waste space on him. He doesn't deserve it. He's as bad as Alec.
I really, really can't understand Victorian society in some ways, I can't get into their state of mind because I don't get how people can be so uptight, judgemental, sexist... but wait, it still happens! Society still blames and judge victims, it is never the abuser's fault... So, after two centuries, this topic is still relevant and the problem hasn't been solved.
First, I just can't understand Tess' mother and father: is money and status really that important they so easily said buy to their teenage daughter, who had no idea what word is like, and send her off in clutches of man they have never met?! Answer is yes, unfortunately. And they didn't get any better.
Second, I felt so bad for Tess in the beginning, she was young and naive, and Alec was a real douche and jerk. But she didn't learn almost anything from her experience! She left, again, in order to pay back to her family 'for troubles she caused them', blamed herself for everything and anything, thought she deserved whatever punishment Angel thought of for her 'betrayal', had no self-respect and no sense of self-preservation... I mean, give that girl a break. But still, I couldn't understand some of her actions and thoughts.
Third, Angel, that hypocritical bastard! He should've died in Brasil, honestly. I don't even wanna waste space on him. He doesn't deserve it. He's as bad as Alec.
I really, really can't understand Victorian society in some ways, I can't get into their state of mind because I don't get how people can be so uptight, judgemental, sexist... but wait, it still happens! Society still blames and judge victims, it is never the abuser's fault... So, after two centuries, this topic is still relevant and the problem hasn't been solved.
leoniefnk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sotweedfactor's review against another edition
4.0
If you're ever feeling too happy, or find yourself believing in the goodness of social mores, read this book.
rettasbookshelf's review against another edition
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rosiekorzie's review against another edition
5.0
I finished Tess of the D'urbervilles tonight. What a brilliant, emotional, tragic novel. It hit really close to home throughout most of the story for me, and I absolutely loved the ending. The writing style was creative enough and the story maintained my interest. It came close to Anna Karenina/Levin territory but Hardy did it way better than Tolstoy by giving purpose and allowing the monotonous farming to be crucial to the plot and actually develop it rather than take away from it. Looking forward to watching the mini series now.
rini1310's review against another edition
4.0
3,97/5 stars
I liked this classic.
The protagonist(Tess) is basically a rape victim who tries to pull herself together and move on by focusing on her family's wellbeing after the tragical incident. The rapist, Alec, is the typical a**hole who tries to manipulate her throughout the novel. Every time he meets her he suddenly remembers he want to have her as "his own". Angel her husband wants to believe he is "pure" spiritually and everyone associated with him must be also. She falls in love with him in the middle of the book and feels unworthy of his love.
Double-standards are a big theme in this book. The position of women as daughters, sisters, wives and workers is pleasantly explored and how easy for them to fall victims whether is rape, attacked on the way home unaccompanied or exploited by a tyrannic boss.
They were several moments where I cried as I felt great empathy towards Tess. .
To be honest though I skipped many descriptive paragraphs as they were boring me to death.
There is no such thing as Happy Ending in these old classics so consider yourself warned...
I liked this classic.
The protagonist(Tess) is basically a rape victim who tries to pull herself together and move on by focusing on her family's wellbeing after the tragical incident. The rapist, Alec, is the typical a**hole who tries to manipulate her throughout the novel. Every time he meets her he suddenly remembers he want to have her as "his own". Angel her husband wants to believe he is "pure" spiritually and everyone associated with him must be also. She falls in love with him in the middle of the book and feels unworthy of his love.
Double-standards are a big theme in this book. The position of women as daughters, sisters, wives and workers is pleasantly explored and how easy for them to fall victims whether is rape, attacked on the way home unaccompanied or exploited by a tyrannic boss.
They were several moments where I cried as I felt great empathy towards Tess. .
To be honest though I skipped many descriptive paragraphs as they were boring me to death.
There is no such thing as Happy Ending in these old classics so consider yourself warned...