Classics > Thomas Hardy Classics

Tess - heroine or whore??

Advantages: A tragic but wonderful read
Disadvantages: None

...old favourite of mine - Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. When the book ( first called 'A Pure Woman') was published in 1891, it ruffled quite a few Victorian feathers!! Hardy fearlessly tackled issues such as murder, rape and violence which were, at the time unmentionable. What readers today have to understand is that the topics Hardy covered - while commonplace in contemporary literature, were considered obscene in the nineteenth century. ...
...truth be concealed." Tess of the D'Urbervilles deals with the oppression of an innocent girl. Most of the consequences she faced were not due to her own actions which makes this story somewhat of a tragedy in that sense giving the book a mood that you can try to make for yourself a good life, but you do not determine your own outcome. The book starts with a somewhat insignificant incident - or so we think : John Durbeyfield, a middle-aged peddler, ...

oldchem 04.07.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

A Desperate and Hilarious Remedy!

Advantages: Very funny, enjoyable melodrama
Disadvantages: Not for everyone

Desperate Remedies was written in response to publishers who rejected Thomas Hardy’s first novel, a socio-political story called The Poor Man and The Lady (which was never published and the manuscript was later destroyed by Hardy; a great pity), who wanted a more sensationalist story without the political overtones. The result, although not considered one of Hardy’s best works, is a delightful Victorian melodrama that’s extremely entertaining. The ...
...but as she grows more desperate she is forced to advertise her services as a maid and is offered a job by the mysterious Miss Aldclyffe. Miss Aldclyffe is heiress to Knapwater, currently in possession of her elderly father. She is resolutely single and of an indeterminate age – she looks younger than she actually is and tries to obscure her true age. She takes a liking to Cytherea and sets in motion a chain of events that leads to Cytherea being ...

DoubleFantasy11 06.08.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Desperate Remedies - Thomas Hardy

a classic master piece

Advantages: strong storylinr and characterization
Disadvantages: none

...in book shops or libraries. Jude the obscure is one such classic that I simply adore. Its story line and characterization is really strong. It was begun as amegazine serial by Thomas Hardy in late 19th century. Thomas hardy was turning at that point from the conventional romantic story to romantic with a tragic end to it. We cant say that Jude was a tragic hero with hamartia no we cant. He was no great man that was the first point that made me love ...
...that she is inlove with Jude and marrying Philostone was a bad idea. Sue and Jude decided to live together without marriage and Sue left Philostone. This made them a social outcast and everyone started rebuking them for their doing. Sue didnt want any sexual relationship so they slept separately for some time but then Jude convinced her in sleeping with him. This led to the birth of their illigetimate children. Then an other child came from australia ...

sandy.imy 02.02.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy

A fantastic introduction to classical literature

Advantages: Compelling page turner
Disadvantages: a basic knoledge of 19th century England helps

The Mayor of Casterbridge is an excellent introduction to reading classical literature. The novel concentrates on Henchard - the Mayor - and his decline in fortunes following the reappearance of his wife and daughter who he had sold to another man 20 years previously. The descriptions of both character and scenery are colourful and evocative and it is easy to feel transported into Hardy's world. The plot is full of twists and almost every chapter ...
...plot regarding the misfortune of Henchard sometimes evokes sympathy and sometimes contempt. Henchard's daughter, displays all that is opposite to him and makes for an interesting contrast in characterization. I would recommend this book to anyone who felt unsure of whether classical literature is for them. This is certainly a book for everyman - or woman. ...

prbots 29.04.2007 · Read full review
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Review of The Mayor of Casterbridge - Thomas Hardy

Worth the effort of the first pages

Advantages: A lovely story and typical beautiful Hardy prose
Disadvantages: It took me a while to get into it

...in my school library at the tender age of 13, I can understand that his novels can be difficult to read. I found this with Return Of The Native: I stumbled through the first chapters wondering if it was really worth the effort as it seemed to lack promise and was at times, quite frankly, rather boring. I'm pleased to say that I needn't have worried. The novel turned out to be beautiful, poetic and tragic - everything I've come to hope for and expect ...
...modern life (from adultery to the proverbial mother-in-law), despite its quaint nineteenth century rural setting. Hardy has a great talent for observing and analysing people and relationships, a talent which is used by creating his complex characters and communities, a lot of which is still relevant today. As I kept reading and just tried to enjoy the novel, as opposed to trying to second-guess it and compare it to others, I fell in love with it. ...

DoubleFantasy11 11.08.2005 · Read full review
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Review of The Return of The Native - Thomas Hardy