What do you think?
Rate this book
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Young Tess Durbeyfield attempts to restore her family's fortunes by claiming their connection with the aristocratic d'Urbervilles. But Alec d'Urberville is a rich wastrel who seduces her and makes her life miserable. When Tess meets Angel Clare, she is offered true love and happiness, but
her past catches up with her and she faces an agonizing moral choice.
Hardy's indictment of society's double standards, and his depiction of Tess as "a pure woman," caused controversy in his day and has held the imagination of readers ever since. Hardy thought it his finest novel, and Tess the most deeply felt character he ever created. This unique critical text
is taken from the authoritative Clarendon edition, which is based on the manuscript collated with all Hardy's subsequent revisions.
her past catches up with her and she faces an agonizing moral choice.
Hardy's indictment of society's double standards, and his depiction of Tess as "a pure woman," caused controversy in his day and has held the imagination of readers ever since. Hardy thought it his finest novel, and Tess the most deeply felt character he ever created. This unique critical text
is taken from the authoritative Clarendon edition, which is based on the manuscript collated with all Hardy's subsequent revisions.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2008
13 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Various
455k books1,340 followersVarious is the correct author for any book with multiple unknown authors, and is acceptable for books with multiple known authors, especially if not all are known or the list is very long (over 50).
If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.
Note: WorldCat is an excellent resource for finding author information and contents of anthologies.
If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.
Note: WorldCat is an excellent resource for finding author information and contents of anthologies.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 13, 2018
امیدوارم دیگه از این رمان ها نخونم وگرنه همینطور باید اشک بریزم :|
قسمت تلخ داستان اینه که هنوز هم مردم همینطوری فکر میکنن و چیزی عوض نشده از اون موقع تا الان :))
قسمت تلخ داستان اینه که هنوز هم مردم همینطوری فکر میکنن و چیزی عوض نشده از اون موقع تا الان :))
June 17, 2015
I must admit that I really hate reading about weak fool stupid female characters even if it was the 19th century -_- but I liked how it ended!
It is a classic. So what!!
It was frustrating how the woman always pays even if it was and still a fact, poor Tess lost it all just because her "loving husband" is a hypocrite!
But besides all that, ohh man! I find a lot of the conversations so lame! Well maybe I need to read more classics just to get a better view of them!
It is a classic. So what!!
It was frustrating how the woman always pays even if it was and still a fact, poor Tess lost it all just because her "loving husband" is a hypocrite!
But besides all that, ohh man! I find a lot of the conversations so lame! Well maybe I need to read more classics just to get a better view of them!
November 17, 2008
From Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, I would like to ask Alec d'Urberville and Angle Clare a question, "why you do that to Tess?" Tess is a good woman that she lived her suffering life caused by two men. As a young and innocent woman, her purity was destroyed by Alec d'Urberville. He did it as he does not care much at that time. Why you do that to her? She had to live her terrible life to stand the worse nightmare since then. It seem to her that she would better die instead of standing this embarrassment since the society at that time gave value to purity of the people before their marriage. Alec did not care much by the time Tess left the place. Again, I want to ask this question to Angel Clare who act as he could love no one except Tess. He steadily tried to ask Tess to be his wife. In this case, I also felt like that Tess should told him her past story before the marry be taken place. However, the morning after their marriage, he confessed to her that he did something wrong with one women while he was in London years ago. Then Tess told him her past story. He could not accept her as she not a wife for him. After that morning, Tess life turned into nightmare. He could not accept this truth while Tess could. It is not fair for her to bare his idea about her past. He should accept that he also did the same that his wife could forgive him all that bad story. I really want to know why Alec did that to her and why Angel could not forgive her. These two men destroy a beautiful life of one innocent woman.
Question#4
Question#4
March 5, 2018
A young girl named Tess has to leave her home because she need to find work. She is a hard working girl but what she don’t know is that the world is cruel. When she meet Angel she is overwhelmed with the passionate love he gives her. Unfortunate she falls in love with him and her past pursued her. She felt too hard.
The book is really interesting to see how it was in the past. The book reads very easily and you keep reading it till it’s done. The story itself is difficult to understand because of the events that’s going on. When you begin in the book, it’s a little bit boring but when she meets Angel it changes.
I can see myself in Tess due to she is naïve but smart at the same time. I also think she is a great main character due to she is sweet, caring and different from the other girls in the book.
This kind of writhing is very new to me owing to that it is written in a poetic way. At the beginning it weird but then you get used to it and then it’s really beautiful.
I like the book very much. It’s special and not a book I would read every day but it inspired me to read more poetry.
The book is really interesting to see how it was in the past. The book reads very easily and you keep reading it till it’s done. The story itself is difficult to understand because of the events that’s going on. When you begin in the book, it’s a little bit boring but when she meets Angel it changes.
I can see myself in Tess due to she is naïve but smart at the same time. I also think she is a great main character due to she is sweet, caring and different from the other girls in the book.
This kind of writhing is very new to me owing to that it is written in a poetic way. At the beginning it weird but then you get used to it and then it’s really beautiful.
I like the book very much. It’s special and not a book I would read every day but it inspired me to read more poetry.
October 10, 2019
Tess is a young girl that had to leave home to go working and make money for her family. she worked hard but she had no diploma and didn't know how bad life could get until she meets Angel, a rich young man who told her that he loved her. she was careful and afraid to tell him about her past. but she wasn't careful enough 'cause he was persuasive. the world said it was her own fault but it wasn't. this young girl's life was already confronted with the difficulties of men and death.
i think this book was a little too difficult for me. I didn't understand all of the words in the book so that made it hard to read. A positive point was that by reading this book you had an idea how life was in the past. You could just escape from this word to the world in the book. But the book had also negative points like that it was hard to read but maybe that was my own fault of choosing a level 6 book. but the story itself was interesting mostly the ending.
i rate this book 3/5 because i was a little too difficult for me. So moral of the story : i should first think what is best for me and not choose to impress with a high level.
i think this book was a little too difficult for me. I didn't understand all of the words in the book so that made it hard to read. A positive point was that by reading this book you had an idea how life was in the past. You could just escape from this word to the world in the book. But the book had also negative points like that it was hard to read but maybe that was my own fault of choosing a level 6 book. but the story itself was interesting mostly the ending.
i rate this book 3/5 because i was a little too difficult for me. So moral of the story : i should first think what is best for me and not choose to impress with a high level.
November 26, 2014
A fav. Read this many times and seen all the film versions.
October 4, 2023
I think if or when I read the full version instead of the short one I will give it a higher rating.
Overall I really liked it, everything obviously happens very fast in this version but it’s still a really beautiful and tragic book.
There were some parts of it that I found incredibly ahead of it’s time, like themes of depression, sexual assault and even divorce.
It is all very tragic tho so do not expect a happy ending.
Overall I really liked it, everything obviously happens very fast in this version but it’s still a really beautiful and tragic book.
There were some parts of it that I found incredibly ahead of it’s time, like themes of depression, sexual assault and even divorce.
It is all very tragic tho so do not expect a happy ending.
January 10, 2020
Really good adaptation. Definitely give it a try if you don't feel like reading the whole book, or if it is within your choice at school.
June 18, 2022
A pretty young girl has to leave home to
make money for her family. She is clever
and a good worker; but she is uneducated
and does not know the cruel ways of the
world. So, when a rich young man says he
loves her, she is careful - but not careful enough. He is persuasive, and she is overwhelmed. It is not her fault, but the world says it is. Her young life is already stained by men's desires, and by death.
make money for her family. She is clever
and a good worker; but she is uneducated
and does not know the cruel ways of the
world. So, when a rich young man says he
loves her, she is careful - but not careful enough. He is persuasive, and she is overwhelmed. It is not her fault, but the world says it is. Her young life is already stained by men's desires, and by death.
August 10, 2024
I came in pessimistic and was pretty decided that I was not going to like it. However, I stand corrected. Don't get me wrong I was annoyed for almost the entire book - and I'm definitely a part of both the Alec and Angel hate-club and I wish Tess would be allowed to be angrier at the injustices she suffers. But the ending - it was everything I could wish for in an ending. Of course I'd rather Tess survived and could actually be happy. But in terms of showing the novel's moral message and committing to tragedy I loved the ending. Hardy you truly did it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2025
Love so much about this book. Tess is an excellent character.
The book explores many life themes, including the beginnings and development of romantic love. It also sheds light on the double-standards that exist in society when it comes to men and women. I coudn't feel quite right with the ending, but I suspect the author intended to portray a norm as opposed to promoting the interchangeability of sisters. Apart from the ending, I thought the novel was brilliant in its execution.
The book explores many life themes, including the beginnings and development of romantic love. It also sheds light on the double-standards that exist in society when it comes to men and women. I coudn't feel quite right with the ending, but I suspect the author intended to portray a norm as opposed to promoting the interchangeability of sisters. Apart from the ending, I thought the novel was brilliant in its execution.
January 29, 2019
My favorite book of all time; I have read this sad tale three times. Thomas Hardy is a master of the written word. His descriptive prose belies the adage, "One picture is worth a thousand words." Definitely not true! I recommend highly that all readers take in this masterwork; you will not be disappointed!
December 5, 2019
It was my first novel in English a I enjoyed it a lot 😊
October 9, 2021
Oh, quite sad ending...
November 22, 2021
تو داستانهای ادبیات کلاسیک همه اینقدر بدبختن یا من بد انتخاب میکنم🤔
November 25, 2025
Not, I think, one of Hardy's best, it hangs for so long on a single situation, somewhat saved by a good ending.
November 15, 2014
Project Read On! Book #5
My favourite Brit lit that I've ever read?
Oliver Twist? no. David Copperfield? nope. Jane Eyre? ugh, no. Wuthering Heights? Almost there.. Tess of the D'Ubervilles? Yes, holy fuck yes.
Teresa, or Tess as most us have called her, is probably the woman that most men would ever wish for.
Hardy was a good writer, but srsly.. "The gods had finished playing with Tess" what an ironic thing to say! You played with her life, all those hardships, heartbreaking moments! I don't think I could've survived any of that? I would've gone mad! Oh god, this book got me really involved, especially at the later part of the book.
How I wish Angel danced with Tess back when they first saw each other..
My favourite Brit lit that I've ever read?
Oliver Twist? no. David Copperfield? nope. Jane Eyre? ugh, no. Wuthering Heights? Almost there.. Tess of the D'Ubervilles? Yes, holy fuck yes.
Teresa, or Tess as most us have called her, is probably the woman that most men would ever wish for.
Hardy was a good writer, but srsly.. "The gods had finished playing with Tess" what an ironic thing to say! You played with her life, all those hardships, heartbreaking moments! I don't think I could've survived any of that? I would've gone mad! Oh god, this book got me really involved, especially at the later part of the book.
How I wish Angel danced with Tess back when they first saw each other..
Read
May 8, 2010Q. 7
In the ending, Tess came to the gallows. The Author depicted "The gods had finished playing with Tess. Society had seen 'justice' done." Actually a person was killed, and then she was main charator. But his voice was very cynical. I think the author was sad and felt some irrationality, so he might express ironic.
Q. 9.
I wonder to the author Why he make that Tess meet Alec again? Alec is bad guy who doesn't know real love. I wanted Tess had true love whih Angel who was Tess's true lover but he knew that later. Tess hadn't to meet Alec, that was a misfortune. I cannot understand Tess, I know her situation was very bad, but if I were Tess, I shouldn't make her decision.
In the ending, Tess came to the gallows. The Author depicted "The gods had finished playing with Tess. Society had seen 'justice' done." Actually a person was killed, and then she was main charator. But his voice was very cynical. I think the author was sad and felt some irrationality, so he might express ironic.
Q. 9.
I wonder to the author Why he make that Tess meet Alec again? Alec is bad guy who doesn't know real love. I wanted Tess had true love whih Angel who was Tess's true lover but he knew that later. Tess hadn't to meet Alec, that was a misfortune. I cannot understand Tess, I know her situation was very bad, but if I were Tess, I shouldn't make her decision.
February 9, 2009
I did my senior theme on this book. Thomas Hardy is a mysognist. Try reading this one and Jude the Obscure. (Jude, is the bright but hopelessly whinny baby whose every misstep can be traced to a female in his life... his wife, his cousin, his aunt--women plauge him.)
Perhaps you might say that Hardy is trying to unveil Victorian hipocrasy toward rape. But, there's no redeption. Just a slow downward spiral. Tess is blamed for her rape, and once fallen, gives up. Her "dirtied angel" persona is undermined by her weakness.
Perhaps you might say that Hardy is trying to unveil Victorian hipocrasy toward rape. But, there's no redeption. Just a slow downward spiral. Tess is blamed for her rape, and once fallen, gives up. Her "dirtied angel" persona is undermined by her weakness.
June 28, 2010
Tess is a woman to be admired as she endures the many hardships life places on her. Hardy is a masterful author in describing the inner workings of the human mind and ones will to do what they believe to be correct.
I was hanging on to the plot and feeling anguish and happiness in turn with Tess for the first 300 pages. After that, I feel like the novel twisted to become uninteresting and too sorrowful. I would like to re-write the ending. I would recommend the first 300 pages, then tell the reader to stop and have their own ending in mind.
I was hanging on to the plot and feeling anguish and happiness in turn with Tess for the first 300 pages. After that, I feel like the novel twisted to become uninteresting and too sorrowful. I would like to re-write the ending. I would recommend the first 300 pages, then tell the reader to stop and have their own ending in mind.
June 13, 2009
This book is tragically beautiful - dark and twisty, I'm liking it more as I get into it, but finding it semi-melodramatic. All in all, not my favorite piece of Brit lit, but interesting nonetheless. I feel it would be a fascinating piece to remake into a movie or screen play with modern thematics - ideas of the victimized woman and how it affects one psychologically could be highly enlightening.
August 9, 2008
It's a classic. A Tragedy at it's finest!
September 14, 2008
A real tear-jerker. Really emphasised with protagonist Tess. Hardy wrote it in such a way that I felt so emotionally involved.
February 6, 2009
This was a well written book but SO sad and a bit depressing. I saw the movie they made of it on PBS and then wanted to read the book. I'd recommed the movie as well.
March 29, 2009
I love this book (although it has a very tragic ending.) I would definitley reccomend this book to a friend who enjoys love and tragedy.
March 3, 2015
A great and gripping story. I have to read the full version. It is surprising and even shocking to realize how life used to be for young women. (considering todays lifestyle)
Read
April 18, 2016gcvhbjnmkl,;mknm
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2016
I didn't enjoy the exaggeration of the miserable fate she had all over the story, yet I found it good written.
February 2, 2017
sad and silly story and unreasonable characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews