I’ve never heard of this book and just come across it in a bookstore— is it any good? I like classic novels like Brontë sisters, Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, etc.
If you like Victorian era literature and don’t mind a melancholy experience, then there’s a very good chance you will enjoy it. I read it many years ago, and it has stunning writing. But just know it is pretty bleak.
wildwithlight on
Thomas Hardy is a fantastic writer, I wouldn’t really liken him to the authors you mentioned, however. That said, I suppose there’s a similar grim and bleak atmosphere shared between “Tess of the D’Ubervilles” (as well as “Jude the Obscure”) and “Wuthering Heights” by Brontë.
I really can’t recommend his books enough, though. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it even if it differs in some ways from what you’ve been reading. I’d read The Mayor of Casterbridge next, I think.
Virtual-Two3405 on
I credit the film of Tess of the d’Urbervilles with turning me into a feminist when I watched it at the age of 10. I was absolutely outraged at the double standards for men and women, I think that was the first time I’d come across it in such an obvious way.
It’s a very good book, as long as you can bear the relentless cycle of thinking things are finally going well for Tess and then another tragic thing happening to her, and the urge to yell obscenities at all of the male characters.
3 Comments
If you like Victorian era literature and don’t mind a melancholy experience, then there’s a very good chance you will enjoy it. I read it many years ago, and it has stunning writing. But just know it is pretty bleak.
Thomas Hardy is a fantastic writer, I wouldn’t really liken him to the authors you mentioned, however. That said, I suppose there’s a similar grim and bleak atmosphere shared between “Tess of the D’Ubervilles” (as well as “Jude the Obscure”) and “Wuthering Heights” by Brontë.
I really can’t recommend his books enough, though. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it even if it differs in some ways from what you’ve been reading. I’d read The Mayor of Casterbridge next, I think.
I credit the film of Tess of the d’Urbervilles with turning me into a feminist when I watched it at the age of 10. I was absolutely outraged at the double standards for men and women, I think that was the first time I’d come across it in such an obvious way.
It’s a very good book, as long as you can bear the relentless cycle of thinking things are finally going well for Tess and then another tragic thing happening to her, and the urge to yell obscenities at all of the male characters.