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caitlyn_baldwin's review against another edition
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
The writing is beautiful and theres definitely artistry in the metaphorical comparisons drawn, but I feel like this novel is just one long lesson in pain lol
emi_dilli's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, emotive descriptions of landscape and the machines that came with the Industrial Revolution. This novel raises tough ethical questions around innocence, vulnerability, poverty, guilt, responsibility, and villainy.
temichka123's review against another edition
5.0
„В живота има неща, които уравновесяват и компенсират неприятностите; и ето че събитието, което я бе превърнало в нещо като предупреждение за общността, сега за мнозина правеше Тес най-интересната личност в селото.“
„Благодарение на натрупания опит […] след дълги скитания откриваме краткия път.“
„А и да си признаем, жените обикновено преодоляват болката от подобни унижения, възвръщат духа си и отново се оглеждат наоколо с любопитство. Убеждението, че човек се надява, докато е жив, не е чак толкова чуждо на „измамените“, както някои любезни теоретици биха искали да ни убедят.“
„Колкото по-умен е един човек, толкова по-интересни хора открива. Простият човек не вижда никаква разлика между хората“
„Сивите полутонове на зората не са като сивите полутонове на здрача, въпреки че може да са еднакво наситени. В утринния сумрак светлината изглежда активна, а тъмнината – пасивна, докато във вечерния здрач тъмнината е активна и нараства, а светлината се оттегля сънливо.“
„Достойнството на човека се крие не в умението му да спазва някакви си жалки условности, а да бъде сред онези, които са истинни, честни, справедливи, чисти, любезни и с добро име, каквато си ти, моя Тес!“
„Жестокостта на измамения честен човек, след като открие истината, нерядко е огромна и сега тя бушуваше в гърдите му.“
„Ако се беше скрила тук при други, по-приятни обстоятелства, щеше да се изплаши. Но сега не се страхуваше от нищо друго, освен от хората.“
„За Тес, както и за всеки друг, познал мъката, красотата се състоеше не в самото нещо, а в онова, което то символизираше.“
„Истинската история на човека зависи не от това какво е направил, а от това какво е искал да направи.“
„Ето как приливите и отливите – ритмични колебания – неумолимо се редуват във всичко под слънцето.“
„Благодарение на натрупания опит […] след дълги скитания откриваме краткия път.“
„А и да си признаем, жените обикновено преодоляват болката от подобни унижения, възвръщат духа си и отново се оглеждат наоколо с любопитство. Убеждението, че човек се надява, докато е жив, не е чак толкова чуждо на „измамените“, както някои любезни теоретици биха искали да ни убедят.“
„Колкото по-умен е един човек, толкова по-интересни хора открива. Простият човек не вижда никаква разлика между хората“
„Сивите полутонове на зората не са като сивите полутонове на здрача, въпреки че може да са еднакво наситени. В утринния сумрак светлината изглежда активна, а тъмнината – пасивна, докато във вечерния здрач тъмнината е активна и нараства, а светлината се оттегля сънливо.“
„Достойнството на човека се крие не в умението му да спазва някакви си жалки условности, а да бъде сред онези, които са истинни, честни, справедливи, чисти, любезни и с добро име, каквато си ти, моя Тес!“
„Жестокостта на измамения честен човек, след като открие истината, нерядко е огромна и сега тя бушуваше в гърдите му.“
„Ако се беше скрила тук при други, по-приятни обстоятелства, щеше да се изплаши. Но сега не се страхуваше от нищо друго, освен от хората.“
„За Тес, както и за всеки друг, познал мъката, красотата се състоеше не в самото нещо, а в онова, което то символизираше.“
„Истинската история на човека зависи не от това какво е направил, а от това какво е искал да направи.“
„Ето как приливите и отливите – ритмични колебания – неумолимо се редуват във всичко под слънцето.“
cjones16's review against another edition
4.0
I can't think of any word to describe it other than "extraordinary".
specialk136's review against another edition
4.0
Some of my favorite novels are the ones with endings that just break your heart. Tess of the D'Urbervilles will break your heart - but it's also gorgeously written, with a moving condemnation of societal double standards we still live with today. It's a super interesting read in the lens of the MeToo era to realize how far - and also not far - we've come in 128+ years since this novel was written.
Here be spoilers.
Tess reminded me a lot of Lily Bart in The House of Mirth (Edith Wharton...another author who writes gorgeous tragedies). Both are poor and must work within the unwritten norms of their societies if they want to better their positions. Both are abandoned by the men they love, only to see those men come to their senses too late. And both are more innocent than those around them chose to believe. But while Lily is observant and cunning and understands perfectly the rules of society she's dealing with, Tess is naive. "How could I be expected to know? I was a child when I left this house four months ago," she cries to her mother. "Why didn't you tell me there was danger? Why didn't you warn me?"
Tess is a victim of self-shaming from the get-go. She believes she's responsible for killing their only horse on the road, when she was only driving the cart because her father was too drunk to do it himself. She is raped and impregnated by her rich "cousin" Alec D'Urberville, who uses the classic playbook of the sexual predator we still see today. Already in a position of power (in this case, in control of her livelihood), he is incessant in his advances, ignoring her denials, and by the end of the book, puts the responsibility on her, telling her it's her fault she's so beguiling he can't help himself. She spends the whole book paying for her "sins," believing herself at fault, the worst part being when the man she truly loves finds out and believes it too. When we see victim-shaming today ("why didn't you fight?" "Look how she was dressed," "Why did she go to that party anyway?") we can see we may not be as evolved as we think.
Hardy has a way of creating a rich atmosphere, setting his scenes beautifully to pull you into his world (who knew milking cows could seem so romantic?). The story moves surprisingly fast. I found I had to keep reading to learn what happens to Tess. If I have minor qualms, some of his descriptions can ramble a bit, and D'Urberville has a bit of a moustache-twirling-villian feel. Overall, though, Hardy has created a lovely, tragic book that will stick with me for a while.
Here be spoilers.
Tess reminded me a lot of Lily Bart in The House of Mirth (Edith Wharton...another author who writes gorgeous tragedies). Both are poor and must work within the unwritten norms of their societies if they want to better their positions. Both are abandoned by the men they love, only to see those men come to their senses too late. And both are more innocent than those around them chose to believe. But while Lily is observant and cunning and understands perfectly the rules of society she's dealing with, Tess is naive. "How could I be expected to know? I was a child when I left this house four months ago," she cries to her mother. "Why didn't you tell me there was danger? Why didn't you warn me?"
Tess is a victim of self-shaming from the get-go. She believes she's responsible for killing their only horse on the road, when she was only driving the cart because her father was too drunk to do it himself. She is raped and impregnated by her rich "cousin" Alec D'Urberville, who uses the classic playbook of the sexual predator we still see today. Already in a position of power (in this case, in control of her livelihood), he is incessant in his advances, ignoring her denials, and by the end of the book, puts the responsibility on her, telling her it's her fault she's so beguiling he can't help himself. She spends the whole book paying for her "sins," believing herself at fault, the worst part being when the man she truly loves finds out and believes it too. When we see victim-shaming today ("why didn't you fight?" "Look how she was dressed," "Why did she go to that party anyway?") we can see we may not be as evolved as we think.
Hardy has a way of creating a rich atmosphere, setting his scenes beautifully to pull you into his world (who knew milking cows could seem so romantic?). The story moves surprisingly fast. I found I had to keep reading to learn what happens to Tess. If I have minor qualms, some of his descriptions can ramble a bit, and D'Urberville has a bit of a moustache-twirling-villian feel. Overall, though, Hardy has created a lovely, tragic book that will stick with me for a while.
gauriraut's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
theprettiestpeoplearereaders's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
i had to read it for school and struggled through it so ended up listening to the audiobook. the ending was a lot more interesting.
laylamaria'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
4.25
This novel destroyed me. It is so unbelievably passionate and wild, even the uncomfortable ending. Alec D'Urberville I hope you burn in hell :)