Tess of the d'Urbervilles

by Thomas Hardy
Tess of the d'Urbervilles cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 2405
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press (UK)
  • Published: 1983-01-01
  • Formats: 27
  • Reviews: 3

Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman of humble origins, finds her life irrevocably changed when she is seduced and abandoned by a wealthy man. Her struggles and suffering are vividly portrayed by Thomas Hardy, who masterfully explores themes of destiny and societal hypocrisy. Tess's journey is one of resilience and heartbreak, as she navigates a world that seems determined to break her spirit. /n/nUpon its publication in 1891, Tess of the D'Urbervilles was met with controversy for its frank portrayal of sexual violence and its critique of Victorian morality. Today, it stands as one of the most powerful and enduring works of nineteenth-century literature, celebrated for its profound sympathy for human frailty and its passionate indictment of social injustices.

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.

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