Questions About Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1)

by Rachel Hartman (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (14)

If this is in the same world as Seraphina do you have to read those books before reading Tess of the Road?

Rachel Hartman It's not strictly necessary, especially if you're the kind of reader who likes to hit the ground running (I am, so I know we exist!). My husband recom…moreIt's not strictly necessary, especially if you're the kind of reader who likes to hit the ground running (I am, so I know we exist!). My husband recommends reading SERAPHINA first, at least, to get an idea how the world works. (less)

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Is this in any way a loose retelling of Tess of the D'Urbervilles? Reading the blurb it sounds like a stretch but possible. Either way I'm sure it's amazing and I can't wait to read it!

Rachel Hartman It's not a retelling, although it's not as unrelated as I originally thought, either. I haven't read Hardy since I was a teen (so, uh, almost 30 years…moreIt's not a retelling, although it's not as unrelated as I originally thought, either. I haven't read Hardy since I was a teen (so, uh, almost 30 years ago) but recently I was reading a plot synopsis of Tess of the D'Urbervilles (because I knew I was going to get this question) and there's... a strong unconscious undercurrent, yes.(less)

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The blurb makes the protagonist of this book seem like a living example of an "I'm not like other girls" trope. I truly despise that misogynistic, hypocritical trope. Is this one of those books?

Ariel This is definitely not. Rather, this is the story of a girl who, presented with the limited choices she has in her traditional, misogynistic world, de…moreThis is definitely not. Rather, this is the story of a girl who, presented with the limited choices she has in her traditional, misogynistic world, decides to make a completely different choice. Rather than "not like other girls but actually she really is," Tess is deeply human and flawed, and crashing her way through life in a series of mistakes and wrong turns. Hartman's characters deal with a misogynistic culture in strong, admirable but still believable ways. (less)

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Will there be another book?

Angela THERE HAS TO BEEEEEEEEEE. I think this is to be a duet.

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Is this book a standalone or the first in a series?

Angela I think it is the first in a duet, and the plot picks off where a previous duet (Serpahina and Shadow Scale) leaves off. It definitely ends with the p…moreI think it is the first in a duet, and the plot picks off where a previous duet (Serpahina and Shadow Scale) leaves off. It definitely ends with the promise of more to come. (less)

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