Tess of the d'Urbervilles

by Thomas Hardy
Tess of the d'Urbervilles cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Historical Fiction
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Format • £6.64–£12.34
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  • ID: 2405
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press (UK)
  • Published: 1983-01-01
  • Formats: 44
  • Reviews: 4

Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman of humble origins, faces a life of hardship and tragedy after being violated by a wealthy man and abandoned by another. Thomas Hardy's masterful novel explores themes of innocence, fate, and the harsh realities of Victorian society, creating a profound and sympathetic portrait of a woman fighting against overwhelming odds. The novel, initially scorned upon its publication, is now celebrated as one of the enduring classics of nineteenth-century literature, showcasing Hardy's eloquent writing and deep empathy for human frailty.

Reviews
William Peace Blog · 2018-03-02
captivating 4.00

The reviewer praises the novel's beautiful writing and captivating pace. They highlight Hardy's love for Tess and the tragic ending.

This review from William Peace Blog praises the novel's beautifully written and leisurely pace. The reviewer highlights Hardy's evident love for the character of Tess and the tragic conclusion of the story. They appreciate the captivating narrative and the emotional impact of the novel's ending.

Quick quotes

    The story ends tragically.

    The first two thirds of the novel is beautifully written at a leisurely, captivating pace.

    Hardy's love of Tess, the...

Write Out Loud Blog · 2016-04-08
critical 3.50

The reviewer offers a critical perspective on the traditional view of Tess as a pure and innocent character. They explore the dynamics between Tess and Alec d'Urberville.

This review from Write Out Loud Blog challenges the traditional view of Tess as a pure and innocent country maiden. The reviewer delves into the dynamics between Tess and Alec d'Urberville, questioning the portrayal of their relationship. They provide a critical analysis of the characters' motivations and the societal context in which they exist.

Quick quotes

    The traditional view of the famous novel is that Tess is a pure and innocent country maiden, taken advantaged of by the cowardly Alec d'Urberville.

    The reviewer offers a critical perspective on the traditional view of Tess as a pure and innocent character.

    They explore the dynamics between Tess and Alec d'Urberville.

The Guardian · 2013-09-07
challenging 3.50

The reviewer finds the book's traditional and complex English challenging but acknowledges its depth. They appreciate the exploration of societal issues and moral questions.

This review from The Guardian highlights the challenges of reading Thomas Hardy's traditional and complex English. While the language can be difficult, the reviewer praises the novel's depth and its exploration of societal issues. The reviewer also appreciates how the book raises important moral questions, making it a thought-provoking read despite the dense prose.

Quick quotes

    The book is written in very traditional and, at times, hard to understand English.

    Hardy used complex sentence structures and unusual but...

    The reviewer finds the book's traditional and complex English challenging but acknowledges its depth.

Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2012-07-07
stunning 5.00

The novel is emotionally moving and easy to follow, offering a sharp critique of late nineteenth-century society. It is both stunning and thought-provoking.

Kara Babcock finds the novel to be emotionally moving and easy to read, despite its critique of late nineteenth-century society. They appreciate the way Hardy weaves a compelling narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The reviewer highlights the novel's ability to evoke strong emotions and its relevance to societal issues, making it a stunning piece of literature. They praise Hardy's ability to create a story that resonates with readers on multiple levels.

Quick quotes

    Tess of the d'Urbervilles is a stunning novel, easy to read and follow but also emotionally moving;

    at the same time, it's a sharp critique of late nineteenth- ...

    Hardy's ability to create a story that resonates with readers on multiple levels.

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