Reviews with content warning for Rape - Tess

This was a really eye opening depiction of the lives of rural women in the 19th century, the pressures of familial responsibility versus working life, and external/ internal perceptions of their value. Thomas Hardy explored classism, sexism, relgious/ moral belief systems and the influence they had on gender dynamics and gendered violence. This culminated in a tragic story following Tess Durbeyfield, the revelation that she was a descendent of the once great D’Urberville family, and the events that follow as she comes of age and navigates the wanted and unwanted attentions of men, personal and familial crises and the weight of public opinion and societal beliefs on self worth.

Content Warnings

marissakellett's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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karlin0336's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I felt so bad for Tess the whole time I was reading this. This classic was very well written, and a very sad read. I had to kinda push through the middle of it (it really slowed down after the very beginning), but the ending was a breeze.

I greatly disliked Angel. His unwillingness to forgive the fact that Tess had been raped, and how he shunned her because of it, was just so unfair. And don't get me started on Alec. He was creepy and manipulative and horrible.

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emzvoice's review against another edition

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dark sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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heartsfromjaney's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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aduda06's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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marirosebel's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a tragedy. And tragedies end how they end. At least she took her rapist down with her. And her loser husband has to spend the rest of life filled with regret.

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nujhakhan's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

read for ~english lit~ a levels :)

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