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eldane's review against another edition
I ran out of time, plus I wasn't really interested in reading a book in which the female protagonist is constantly taken advantage of by men. She has no spine, and any personality seems to vaporize any time a man comes near her. All she does is endure tragedy after tragedy, and then she dies. Woof.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Child death, Death, and Rape
_quinnsreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It feels wrong rating this book 5. But I gave it 5 stars not because I liked how "dark and depressing" this book is but because I got caught up with the story. Reminds me how tragic human lives could end up in effect of unfavorable circumstances and the evils living among us.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
stephanieanneauthor's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I remember the first time I ever heard my dad mention this book. He said it was awful because of the way poor Tess was treated. Horrible things kept happening to her, which made this book depressing to read. Boy was he right. Despite the way that I did enjoy the book, it was truly heartbreaking. Even though I went into this expecting to be depressed, the story still broke my heart. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs (which was not advisable since I listened to the audiobook on the bus). But that just goes to show how well written this frustrating tale of suffering and double standards is.
(On that note, I really wish Angel had suffered much, MUCH more).
(On that note, I really wish Angel had suffered much, MUCH more).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Religious bigotry
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
mosreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
rbacon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
So dramatic. Once you get through the classic style of writing the plot and character are intensely interesting. Some of the pacing is a bit weird, but bear with it and get to the end, because it all kicks off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Murder, and Pregnancy
reesespuff6's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Incest, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
terrificarno's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
elanuruysal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child death and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent and Murder
lori3n's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
stephh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
It's been a solid 10 years since I read this, and although I didn't enjoy it as much as my initial read, it was still an excellent book in being a shocking read for its time. I love reading a book that's been banned or censored in the past and seeing what content made people upset, and this is a really interesting example.
As the oldest sister of her family, it's Tess' responsibility to look after her siblings (and her parents when they get too drunk at the local pub). But when her father finds out their family goes back to an ancient noble family called the D'Ubervilles, the pressure on Tess is about to increase. Sent away to a distant relative, Tess is assaulted by a 'cousin' of hers, and must spend the rest of her life deciding whether to tell people or keep this a big secret.
I'd really forgotten how quickly you descend into the drama in this book. I think within the first 50 pages or so, we see Tess' r*pe by the villain Alex D'Uberville. The next 300 or so pages are very Hardy-esque and were very slow and descriptive, and then the final 100 or so really shocked me and kept me turning the pages. I'd completely forgotten how this ends, and it was a real revelation to see what actually happened towards the book's end. This is of course absolutely one of Hardy's greats, and you can see why it's studied.
As the oldest sister of her family, it's Tess' responsibility to look after her siblings (and her parents when they get too drunk at the local pub). But when her father finds out their family goes back to an ancient noble family called the D'Ubervilles, the pressure on Tess is about to increase. Sent away to a distant relative, Tess is assaulted by a 'cousin' of hers, and must spend the rest of her life deciding whether to tell people or keep this a big secret.
I'd really forgotten how quickly you descend into the drama in this book. I think within the first 50 pages or so, we see Tess' r*pe by the villain Alex D'Uberville. The next 300 or so pages are very Hardy-esque and were very slow and descriptive, and then the final 100 or so really shocked me and kept me turning the pages. I'd completely forgotten how this ends, and it was a real revelation to see what actually happened towards the book's end. This is of course absolutely one of Hardy's greats, and you can see why it's studied.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape