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The pessimism of tragic circumstances 2 of 8 Ciao Users found the following review helpful
Rating from AlexMayer 4 Stars ()

Advantages Complex, enjoyable novel

Disadvantages Pessimistic, unrealistic?

The pessimism of tragic circumstances, so often a feature in Hardy, is in this novel, but so too is the strength of character which for me prevents the pessimistic novels becoming depressing. The character of Jude himself, despite the futility of his ambitions and his loves, is admirable though I had considerably less sympathy with his ‘soul male’ Sue Bridehead. The character of Phillotson however, whose story was in a way a reflection of Jude’s was subtly drawn and shows that Hardy rarely created simple villains. The suicide of Father Time and his murder of the other children was however too much for me – so gruesome as to seem unreal. Normally I defend Hardy strongly on the grounds that pessimism is realism but here I cannot. Overall though I enjoyed the novel very much.


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Comments

Maybe you have a question about Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy? Ask here
Previous page Next page Page 1 of 2 | 1 - 5 out of 8 comments
  • MAFARRIMOND 25/04/2004 23:33
    Rated this review as
    Somewhat Helpful

    Such a tragic story. More information and I would have rated higher. Maureen

  • frkurt 27/02/2004 19:40
    Rated this review as
    Somewhat Helpful
  • heideroosjes 10/02/2004 15:04
    Rated this review as
    Somewhat Helpful

    Not enough detail. Alex

  • Bryn_Pearson 30/10/2003 12:24
    Rated this review as
    Somewhat Helpful
  • parker-munn 03/09/2002 01:42
    Rated this review as
    Helpful

    I'm just finishing this novel and see what you mean. Need some more to give a higher rating.

Previous page Next page Page 1 of 2 | 1 - 5 out of 8 comments

Detailed Rating

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Story
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How does it compare to similar books? Quite good
How does it compare to other works by the same author? Quite good

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AlexMayer

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