Reviews

Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

nephybooks's review against another edition

3.0

2 stars
Please.Stop.Crying.


2ndRead...
3.5 stars
I re-read this with school and appreciate the writing a whole lot more. Sadly, it's still not my favourite.

melc's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sejacobson14's review against another edition

5.0

I had been meaning to read this book for years. I finally picked it up recently and fell in love with it. I had seen the film adaptation (which is excellent) years ago, but had never read the book. Though heartbreaking, this story has become one of my favorites.

ogselby3's review against another edition

5.0

The scene at Stonehenge… chills. I simply can’t stop thinking about it.

amyayeme's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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? Yes

4.5

ayannadarling's review against another edition

challenging dark 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? No

2.25

bronzestars's review against another edition

It made my brain hurt 

mawar12's review against another edition

dark hopeful sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Spoiler

Just finished this book.
It's so slow I feel like it only gets more interesting (to me) after  Angel (God I hate this guy) fought with Tess because of her past.

I personally think the language used is great despite so many old unfamiliar words (old lady lady what does tht mean lol). 
That being said my God the plot is devastating. I thought this book is going to be a light romance or just a romance but I spoke discovered all the main characters irritate me to no end.

Angel Clare was just a fool I have no idea why he was seen as this hero when he's not. As soon as he fond out his wife was in trouble he should have immediately gone to help. But nah, let's just wait awhile me because my wife messed up a billion years ago. 

Tess is also super whiny and insufferable. I thought we would have a character development with her seeing the red flags with Clare but nah, turns out she's still stupidly head over heals with him( not even a cute beautiful manner it's more like stupidity to me, like how a kidnapped victim would fall in love with her captor). I wont recommend a younger person to read this book as they would have thought this is a romantic story because none of the main characters in the love triangle (Angel, Tess, Alec) were even good example of how a love should be. How Tess is willing to KILL Alec who have helped him JUST because Angel is willing to return  AFTER years (which really shouldn't make him a good person, that's like saying I love someone for doing the bare minimum), I kid you not I almost do not finish the book. It is such a  stupid move , an unexpected twist but one that fill me with annoyance .The characters annoy me more than all the character of  Wuthering Heights.  I literally have to spent a LOT of chapters listening to her whine  for Angel  only to find out she has a horrible character development and still in love with Angel after he has treat her terrible  for so long. I wouldn't welcome someone back if that person suddenly decided to be nice to me after years. Angel don't even do anything all he did is just show his ass and Tess is suddenly 'hmm at least Angel returned let me kill Alex who actually literally helped me out of trouble because WHY not'. Anyone could see Angel is a terrible husband and would have said the same, doesn't mean they're lying.
 This woman is incapable of logical thinking.

Alec is a bit better out of the main trio, but the way he's being so harsh with Tess while saying she should be his wife is also a red flag. The fact that he also blame the religious group because of his own mistakes too. like nah boy, you got horny it ain't those people's fault you can't fulfill your promises to them and do your job. Shouldn't have joined if you don't think you can take it. 

What actually DISTURBING is the ending chapter. It is creepy the fact that Angel decided to be with Tess's sister who was literally a LOT younger. She was a child when Tess last saw her before Tess went to the farm. like how BIG is the age difference? The writer literally implied too that she was half girl half woman. 

A lot of red flags and it's definitely a devastating book overall. I feel like I wasted my time reading this book because I was looking for character development and to find out there is none and all is the same and Angel literally got out unscathed is infuriating.

It's not even an enjoyable read. You spend majority of the book listening to Tess whining about Angel , her fool husband.

I'd give this book 2/5.


Please take note too that this is my opinion. You don't agree with me , if you like the book then ok. But I truly despise this book and this is coming from someone that don't even despise Wuthering Heights. That's how annoying the whole book and characters were for me.

sunselenite'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

4.0

A beautiful yet heartbreaking story - while reading I often found myself very upset on behalf of Tess, who had good intentions throughout yet was wronged repeatedly by the actions of men in her life, and ultimately by a society which dooms women based on questionable and demeaning standards. 
The language and descriptions in this story are nice to read, if a bit excessive and dragging at times. The nuances captured for each character are refreshing, giving a thoughtful presentation of individuals both  dealing with or perpetuating wrongdoings.

amyborch's review against another edition

sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Spoiler. Tess is sweet talked by a man who gets her pregnant.  She loses the baby.  Ends up with a self righteous guy named Clare who leaves her when he finds out she’s not a virgin.  He rethinks his decision to abandon Tess and goes back for her, only to find her with the original scoundrel.  Tess murders him and is killed.