From the Bookshelf of Reading the Classics…

Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Thomas Hardy

Start date: August 2, 2015

Finish date: September 2, 2015

Discussion: Past Group Reads

Why we're reading this: Poll Winner August 2015
[close] Poll Winner August 2015

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Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 214 topics — 3,499 comments total

Past Group Reads

* Washington Square - Reading Schedule
By Brian , co-moderator · 3 posts · 28 views

last updated May 08, 2021 11:27AM

* Rebecca Reading Schedule
By Jenn , moderator · 1 post · 25 views

last updated Feb 04, 2021 10:42AM

What Members Thought

Jul 10, 2020 Amle rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-english, classics

So, I had written this incredibly long review (close to 3000 words) for this book and then decided that I should just scrap it all and keep it readable and concise.

Tess of the D’Urbervilles, what can I say to give it justice. If you don’t know the story and want it to remain unknown, don’t open the spoiler section.

This book was awful to read. This is not a happy story. I was so upset by it that I had to put it down three separate times and give it a day or two before I picked it up again. There So, I had written this incredibly long review (close to 3000 words) for this book and then decided that I should just scrap it all and keep it readable and concise.

Tess of the D’Urbervilles, what can I say to give it justice. If you don’t know the story and want it to remain unknown, don’t open the spoiler section.

This book was awful to read. This is not a happy story. I was so upset by it that I had to put it down three separate times and give it a day or two before I picked it up again. There are strong themes of social and gender inequality that make me ache for poor Tess.

Hardy’s writing style is long winded and overly descriptive but the story was good and satisfying in many ways.

(view spoiler)

So yes, it was a difficult read, but in hindsight I really enjoyed the emotional roller-coaster. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 14, 2011 Ginny rated it it was ok

Shelves: 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you

I think I have a problem with Hardy. I seem to give his books low ratings.
I had a difficult time with Tess and how she was treated in the book.

Like · see review

Oct 26, 2011 Barbara marked it as to-read

Shelves: in-england, classics, over-500-pages, group-reads-possible-choices, group-cfb-nominee-for-dec-2011, priority-2014, listopia-best-literary-books-of-all

Apr 30, 2012 Misha marked it as to-read

Shelves: classics, 1001-books, literary-fiction, made-into-a-movie-or-a-show, british, tbr-owned, purchased-2012, 19th-century, purchased-2018, purchased-2023