Comments on: Book Review: Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

By: mumof6

mumof6 — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:15:52 +0000

i love this book! admittedly, it is quite hard to get into, but once you have read it several times like i have, it is great. My opinion on each and every character changes every time i read it, however, my feelings for Tess never alter. she was doomed from birth with parents like that, or should i say a mother like that! Every character in this novel has some part to play in Tess’s downfall, Hardy leaves alot to the imagination, and makes you explore all possibilities, which isnt such a bad thing, its one of those books that you could keep re reading and change your mind about. What happens to Tess is tragic, and i dont entirely blame Angel as i originally did. yes he was a hypocrite, but then standards in the 19th century were very different to what they are now.

By: Egle

Egle — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:41:18 +0000

I haven’t read the book, but watched BBC mini-series, so can’t tell a lot about long sunshine descriptions. Anyway, I disliked Angel’s character almost on the spot – such a spineless man! Preaching eternal love, but behaving like an idiot and hating Tess – for what? Yes, he was cruel, like Tess said herself. Ok, I’m talking from the 21st century point of view, oh, but still… You know, in some places I really agreed with Alec, when he tried to bring Tess to her senses after Angel’s departure to Brazil. I would never ever justify violence, but Alec at least tried to find some solution for Tess and her well-being, not without satisfying his own egoistical needs, of course, at least he was honest. Oh, but really – this Angel spoiled my Friday that I was determined to spend with a nice period drama. And the last thing – too much tears in the mini-series. Can’t stand tears, if they appear every 10 seconds.

By: Emma

Emma — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 15:16:10 +0000

I certainly agree with you on the last bit you said. I certainly loved the book and movie, but I don’t think I’ll be reading or watching it any time soon. I enjoy a good read, and while the story was incredibly interesting, I’m not such a huge fan of the ending because it was a little bit to sad for my tastes.

By: CarrieK

CarrieK — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:52:52 +0000

Deanna – I know the feeling of a huge, ever-growing TBR list!

By: Deanna

Deanna — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:59:22 +0000

I do have this book on my TBR list. I am not sure when I will get to it so I skimmed through your spoiler part of the review…when I read {{ but I can’t say I’ll be picking it up again any time soon – if ever.}} I thought…hmmm…maybe I will wait a bit more before I read this book. Maybe when my TBR list is a lot smaller. **shrug** **smile**

By: CarrieK

CarrieK — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:24:53 +0000

Val – I missed out on a lot of classics during college, because I majored in theater arts. I read a ton of plays – and most of Shakespeare, but not a lot of classic novels. I’m kind of glad, because sometimes the feeling of being “assigned” reading can take the joy out of it.

Kathy – there were a few parts I definitely skimmed – sometimes his descriptions just went on and on…

Bonnie – exactly! There were times when I wanted to say, “enough about the road or sunshine or whatever – just get on iwth the story!”

LF – This book was so full of double-standards – between men and women and the rich and poor. I would not have wanted to live at that time.

By: Literary Feline

Literary Feline — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:55:52 +0000

Even though I haven’t read the book, I did go ahead and read your full review. I doubt I will read it anytime soon (not so much from lack of interest, but because it is not high up on my priority list). Isn’t it interesting the double standard some people have? It’s okay for them to trangress but not for others to. You’ve definitely got me more curious about this one, I have to say! Thanks for the great review.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:06:51 +0000

I read (and reviewed) this one a while back, and I pretty much agree with your take on it. I thought it was a good book, but I also thought that Hardy was trying a little too hard in places to make a certain point and actually track of the fact that he was telling a story.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:18:12 +0000

I haven’t read this book, but after your review, I’m not sure it’s for me – I don’t find flowery prose very appealing.

By: Val

Val — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:17:46 +0000

I’m pretty sure I read this in college…it all sounds vaguely familiar and I know I have the paperback on a bookshelf downstairs…but I don’t remember it all that much. This is no doubt a combo of the overwhelming number of books I had to read in college in too short a time, along with its incredibly sad plot. After reading so many ‘tearyourheartout” classics, I think they all just blended together into a blur of sadness that I just pushed right out of my mind…heh.