Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas HardyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this from my Gramma. I was skeptical about it because {honestly} the name Thomas Hardy doesn't sound as romantic and tragical as Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens or Jane Austen.
But, I was wrong. So, so wrong.
Thomas Hardy put our poor heroine, uneducated 16 year old Tess, through trial after trial. She's sent to seek after her "family" the d'Urbervilles after a most unfortunate accident involving the family horse. We get the sense that her life has never been very easy...but especially after meeting that devil Alec and marrying the ironically named Angel, her circumstances involve one awful choice after another.
I read in a few reviews that Tess wasn't a strong woman. And I agree and disagree...she was *very* strong in her convictions. She was totally, totally committed to suffering for her "sins." Rather than take any help from family or lovers, she works and, did I mention, suffers. But, at the same time I wanted to slap her and tell her to get over that horrible half-wit she called a husband. Seriously, who puts up with a man who admits that he's slept around and then when you tell him your history it's: "Deuces, Tess. I can't stand that you were raped. I'm going off to Brazil." The hypocrisy was maddening. {And I think that was Hardy's point.}
I enjoyed Tess all the way through. Even after Angel abandoned Tess. The only complaint I have is that Hardy really seemed to rush the ending. All these lovely lyrical descriptions and drama and then...
Oh, and I loved how quickly Alec got over his passion with religion when he wanted to get with Tess again. Awesome.
So much good material on religion, hypocrisy, women, double standards, industrialization, somnambulism and policemen who let you finish napping before arresting you.
If you love a good tragedy, read Tess!
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Thomas Hardy is one of my favourite classical authors. You should read more of his stuff. Tess is great though. Studied that book in high school.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this yet! Might have to put it on my wish list :)
ReplyDeleteI might have to give this one a read too. I haven't been reading as much as I once was.. Last year. haha. December, oh, how I remember you so well.
ReplyDeleteYou're so sweet to remember when Moe and I first started dating and I knew! :) I feel funny that people say weird things about being married. I think it's kind of.. immature, maybe? I've been one to focus on the negative, and not mention the positive as much. Especially when I'm busy, but there's so much good out of relationships and marriage that..it should be focused on! I imagine that the people who say that they get tired of their husband would also be the ones who would be upset if they were not married? I don't know if that really makes sense.. I feel like there are categories of people, those who have the goal to be married and then other people who just kind of go with it. You and I, we go with it. :)
You should love spending time with B! He's your love! Your main squeeze! Your B! Why wouldn't you love spending time with him and essentially just having him around? We all need time for ourselves, of course, but, mostly, it's nice to have our guys around. :) I'll be relinquishing Moe on Wednesday since he is finishing up the short two week, two-one credit courses with the finals on Monday and then Tuesday.. But, I'll be happy to have him back for the summer in the USA!!! I should probably finish blogging about my brother's time here before my mom comes, huh? Hmm..
I think blogger frowns upon long comments.
ReplyDeleteMeal Pinning Monday really has changed the way that we eat here, and it's helped with our budget, too. Except when Moe comes to the grocery with me, of course. I have done it for so long now that I can't really remember what it was like not to meal plan? I think this is when I purchased a lot of frozen pizza, or tortelini from Trader Joe's? I honestly have no idea how I did that, seriously. Also, it's nice to see how many Pinterest recipes that I can make here.. With sometimes limited ingredients and stuff.
AND, A castle? Sounds like a real fairy tale! Maybe there will be a Sint Maartin honeymoon in your future? Or, Italy? When will you guys get married? During rotations, or after? I'm seriously so excited for you! :)
I have told Moe several times that he should have went to AUC. Only being hit on while at the beach solidifies this. WE should have gone there. :) haha.