Tess of the D'Urbervilles. A Pure Woman

Then I realised how tragic yet magnificent this book was when I read it. It truly does elucidate the malicious prejudice of Victorian society against the lower classes (Tess'persistent belief that she is not good enough for Angel Clare was heartwarming.)

This has all the poetry and linguistic marvel of Far From The Madding Crowd, but it had the one catalyst that made me capable of immersing myself with the book - a storyline.


Beauty, tragedy, innocence and an unforgiving society.   September 10, 2001
chrisarnold2020@hotmail.com (Tamworth, England)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

This is a novel so saturated with emotion it is almost too much just to read it. The plot revolves around the eponymous heroine, Tess Durbeyfield, a young and innocent girl who plunges headfirst into adulthood by giving birth to an illegitimate child. Tess is immediately condemned by a cruel society and her unavoidable fate is dragged out in heart wrenching detail by Hardy. What is most interesting about the novel is the author's obvious love for his character, and it is fascinating to imagine Hardy wishing for a happy ending just like the reader, yet at the same time knowing that he is unable to help Tess, his own creation. Everyone should read this novel, it has romance, murder, tragedy, injustice, intricate social commentary, and an intoxicating melancholia. The character of Tess is so well conceived by Hardy, she appears so realistic that the reader finds themselves weeping tears for her as if she were a loved one. Persevere with Hardy's somewhat lengthy descriptions of the surrounding landscape and you will find this novel to be as beautifully perfect as I did.


The use of fate and coincidence is truly tiresome   June 23, 2001
3 out of 28 found this review helpful

I find this book truly repetitive and monotonous.The repeated use of coincidence to link the characters is tiresome and unbelievable.The diabolic imagery surrounding Alec makes him seem a melodramatic caricature and is also tiresome.The use of landscape and nature to convey how the characters,mainly Tess are feeling is over used,as is the red imagery and refererences to Tess' lips.Tess is a pathetic character who brings about her own downfall,being completely naive and selfless.It is true that society does condemn her by it's wronged social laws and it is admirable that Hardy challenges society by titiling the book "A pure woman".However,overall I find that Tess of the d'Urbevilles is a tiresome and boring book,which is difficult to read and I can honestly say I had no trouble putting this one down.


Tragic, moving tale of a woman battling against cruel fate.   April 19, 2001
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is my favourite book by any author. It tells of a woman who is crippled by her poverty - stricken background and feckless parents, vainly trying to live according to inate ideals of sincerity, passion, loyalty and truth in a corrupt, decaying rural landscape. Her attempts to do the right thing and live life in a full, honest way are everywhere thwarted by the cruel, mocking twists of fate and the inability of the male characters to rise beyond the narrow constraints of their physical desires and spiritual poverty. It makes me weep everytime.


A touching story...   March 19, 2001
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

The second time I read this book I found it much more distressing. Throughout I could see the many small instances where if things had been only a little different then Tess's tragedies could have been avoided.

There is a lot of Thomas Hardy in this book - Angel's attitudes to religion, for example, closely mirror Hardys own struggles with his beliefs and rejection of Christianity. If you have an interest in Hardy's life and his beliefs then you may find this element of the book an added attraction.

This a very touching book. A little difficult in places, but well worth persisting with.