Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Parisa writes
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
By Thomas Hardy

I would rate this book a 7 ½ out of 10. I would recommend this book for good readers because it contains rather advanced vocabulary. The novel is the story of a very young woman’s life in 1800’s England, her quest for happiness and love, and the obstacles society puts in her path. Hardy is concerned with right and wrong, and Tess strives to be a moral person. The novel covers very shocking material for that time, including rape and seduction. Not to give it away, but this book is not for people looking for a happy ending. Some parts of this book are very tragic, and the life of the main character, Tess, is difficult. Hardy can teach a lot about that period in English history and how people’s lives were lived. There are detailed descriptions of farm life, villages, and scenery. He has a strong feeling for poor people’s troubles, and creates a believable character. Although sometimes the sadness of the story forced me to put it down, I did find the story interesting and readable. The best thing about the book is the plot, which is brilliantly complicated, involving all the many characters, woven to keep the reader guessing until the end.