Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.
Having just read another classic of literature, I see a trend in my reading habits.
Once again I will not presume to rate this novel.
This was the first time I have read anything by Hardy, although I have seen movie adaptations. For those not aware, Hardy's novels are mostly tragedies. If you are looking for a happy ending dont read Hardy. Despite that I found much of value in this book. Set in the Victorian Era, it explores how positive characteristics (physical beauty and innocence) are overcome by lust, greed and moral rigidity.
The title character, Tess is beautiful and smart but achingly naive. Despite her intelligence she is maneuvered into forfeiting the only value a woman had in that time. As a ruined woman she accepts her fate but is tricked back into hope only to be cast aside again. The books plot urges us to take responsibility for moral judgment and consider what is truly good.
1 Comments:
I hated Tess, but I loved Return of the Native. It has more of the same type of desperate people, but the ending doesn't seem so tragic. I mean, it's tragic, but not so much.
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