Reviews with content warning for Rape - Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

97 reviews

maddierose0709's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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fbarros's review against another edition

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4.25

Tess is one of the most frustratingly tragic characters I’ve come across. Every decision she makes seems to dig her deeper into trouble. She's constantly surrounded by some of the worst, most manipulative people imaginable that take advantage of her innocence at all costs. It’s painful to see her ignore her gut and sacrifice herself, trying to please her family and secure a better life for her siblings.

I absolutely hate Alec. Actually, I hate most of the men in this book. Even her husband, Angel—who knows nothing's Tess’s fault—abandons her when she needs him the most. It's infuriating. But the women? The women are powerful, complicated, and resilient in their own ways.

My only real complaint is the length. It felt too long, dragging at points where it didn’t need to. Still, it’s a heartbreaking, emotional ride that’s going to stick with me.

Everything about this book is infuriating, sad, and depressing, and honestly... it’s a lot to take in.

PS: A random part of the book that hit me harder than expected was the death of the horse. It shouldn't have, but it reminded me of my own mare who passed away last year. 😭

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gauriraut's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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robdob's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

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brianreadsbooks's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

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frostbitsky's review against another edition

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dark sad tense slow-paced

5.0

It was my sister who suggested this book and I am glad she did. I only regret that I had to take a break from it after the second phase because I had to return it since the library had a hold for someone. But I got it back 3 weeks later.

Thomas Hardy writes so beautifully and poetically. And the story is so tragic. I felt for Tess and how her circumstances effected her life. The prejudice she received, the sorrow and guilt she felt for herself, broke my heart.

Angel really angered me.

His absence and unwillingness to forgive Tess (not that she needed forgiveness for that "sin", maybe just for not being honest with him) caused her to think even less of herself and lose hope till she was forced, as a last resort, to accept Alec's help.

But at least Angle turns around in the end. He redeemed himself. But Alec...Alec is annoying and despicable. I knew that SOB was a liar when he said he had "seen the light" and was now a "good Christian." And I was right! He was a lying sack of shit!
And the nerve, the audacity of Alec to put the blame on Tess, saying she seduced him. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE CHICKENS, SHE DOESN'T LIKE YOU AND HAS BEEN TRYING TO AVOID YOU SINCE THE MOMENT YOU MET, SO F-CK OFF!

I only regret Alec didn't suffer a more painful and drawn out, excruciating death.

Tess' mother is no better. Mrs. Oh-I-should-have-checked-to-see-if-this-man-was-honorable-before-I-sent-my-daughter-off-with-him. Stupid selfish bitch. Tess deserves a better mother.

I was hoping Tess and Angel would make it to the port. :( Just the poor girl's luck that she gets caught and executed. That demon had it coming. He ruined her life.
Ironic that Tess had wished for death periodically throughout the novel. And so sad cause before she was raped she was a happy girl. Freaking heartbreaking. I just wanted to take her into my arms and tell her she didn't need to feel shame.

The bad omens on Tess and Angel's wedding day were freaky. Well done foreshadowing.

The prose took me a while to wrap my head around but it was so beautiful.

Example: "O why have you treated me so monstrously, Angel ! I do not deserve it. I have thought it all over carefully, and I can never, never forgive you! You know that I did not intend to wrong you - why have you so wronged me? You are cruel, cruel indeed! I will try to forget you. It is all injustice I have received at your hands!"
- Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urberville, Chapter 51
source.

5 out of 5 blighted stars

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