You know what Thomas Hardy likes? Murder. I had a sneaking suspicion that Alec was going to bite the dust at some point, but the ending was... um... different than Far From the Madding Crowd.Poor Tess, so good and pure, is ruined thanks to one night. And, the events of the night are defined depending on how the reader interprets the situation--was it rape or was she seduced? Either way, her life according to Victorian standards is completely tainted.
The story has the Romeo and Juliet type theme--two young people intensely in love, but you know their happiness is going to be short lived. Deep down Tess knows that Angel will not forgive her for her past, yet she is unable to keep it to herself. Should she have told him? What would you do?
Overall I didn't love the book. It was much more dark, depressing, and desperate than my other experience with Thomas Hardy. I have a really hard time with novels from this time period where the characters have happiness within reach, but because of societal pressures it slips away, and what would have been bliss and prosperity turns into death and hardship.
1 comment:
Well look here. I don't check this blog for months, and when I do, you've read another one from Hardy! Too bad you didn't really like. If dark bothers you, and particularly when characters are close to happiness and let it slip away, do NOT read Jude the Obscure. I loved it, but jesus that's a depressing read.
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