Tess of the D'Urbervilles Audiobook

" I was never assigned this book as a student and it was a shame. Tess of the d'Ubervilles is a Victorian novel that when released, had mixed reviews due to the dicey nature of the subject matter. It exposed the falsity of the mores prevalent at the time. That men and women were not equals. Identical behavior that was accepted for men to do was unacceptable for women to do. More specifically, adulterous affairs. To drawn an analogy to Orson Wells Animal Farm...all animals are created equal but The Pigs are more equal than anyone else. Good read "

" I can't wait for the other installment of Grey. I love this whole series. "

" This re-reading has reminded me why I've avoided Tess for about a decade: I find it absolutely maddening! Or, more to the point, I find her absolutely maddening. "

" I'm not crazy about the ending but the book was beautifully written. . Overall a good reading experience "

" Have read this five or six times now, always hoping the ending will turn out differently! I love Hardy's beautifully descriptive writing and his well observed characters. "

" A beautiful love story. One of my top 5 books of all time. "

" One of the most miserable books I have ever read but oh so good. "

" I really liked the story, but, like so many classics, is so hard to understand and follow along because of the dialogue "

" it was quite good i think. i'm not good at rating out of 5. "

" I hate books about stupid people who make stupid decisions. I couldn't understand Tess' failure to extricate herself from an ever-worsening situation, so I couldn't sympathize with her. Ultimately, the tragedy was that she didn't return home much earlier. "

" I have to admit I stopped reading this because it was so sad and now I can't get back into it. Plus, I have a ton of other reading to do. I really liked the writing though so I'll definitly come back to it one day! "

" One of my favorite novels. "

" I think the story itself was okay, the metaphors and the idea behind it was something to uphold, but its writing didn't do justice to the story. It was too dense, too dull for me. It's not something I recommend to read to pass the time. "

" I just couldn't finish this book, i had to force myself to carry on reading to see what happened at the end; but then i just decided i couldn't go on. in my opinion it was boring and i'm quite surprised because i liked Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy. maybe will try and give this book another chance some other time. "

" I cannot even express how much I hated this book and how angry it made me. I will never read another Thomas Hardy novel again . . . like, EVER. "

" I just wished it would have ended another way.. "

" God, Hardy, how could you do this at the end? I was so... mad, yes! Poor Tess, though I think she wasn't quite herself when she got rid of Alec at last. And Angel... I can't find the words to describe his idiocy. Somebody should have kicked some sense into that boy, he clearly deserved it. But all in all, this was a good novel. "

" There was a little bit of an over the top quality to the novel that I found boring. The story was interesting in the context of Victorian writing. "

" I am so glad I chose to read this book. I thought I had read it before, possibly while at university, but I don't think I did. Hardy's writing is more accessible than some of his contemporaries and his descriptions are lovely. The story is timeless, and (potential spoiler alert) a true tragedy. "

" Honestly I liked this book. It was a pretty slow read and a little excessively detailed, but overall I thought the premise was good, and the ending was not what I had expected after reading the summary on the back cover. "

" Absolutely beautiful. The characters are perfect, the story is heartbreaking and enchanting, this is my favorite book of all time. "

" Hardy really must have hated the majority of characters he wrote... he keeps tossing all of them under the bus. "

" Read this years agou as part of a college lit class. Though I enjoyed it at the time, it didn't inspire me to want to read more Hardy. "

" I'm not really a Hardy fan- too much lengthy description and gloomy tragedy! Tess is one of the wettest heroines you are likely to encounter! For God's sake, girl! Get a grip !!! "

" This is one of the most harrowing tales I ever read. It is the story of Tess Durberville & her life with its ups & downs. She should inspire all women as she experiences dreadful things on her journey yet deals with them as only a strong woman can. A true heroine. "

" One of my favourite writers of the English countryside and it's deep, sensuous life. "

" So sad. I even cried near the end. Poor Tess' soul! One of the best I've read among the British classics I've read. "

" I loved this book even though it was so very sad. "

" Interesting ending...not what I was expecting. "

" The book has its moments, especially in the beginning. "

" This was a fantastic book. I wish it could have had a happier ending, however! "

" I very much enjoyed this book although at times Tess aggravated me. Too proud to claim what is rightfully hers, she leads herself from one miserable situation into another. Nevertheless, a good book. "

" I am in love with this book. "

" Don't read this when you're insecure about your relationships! "

" Excellent writing, sad story, disappointing ending. "

" Well written!!! But oh so depressing!!! "

" My view may change after I give this book another chance. Maybe I am just not used to this style of writing. The fact that I will continue to read this book is solely due to the abundance of favorable reviews on here. "

" amazing writing, but Tess's life makes Precious's look bearable "

" Ugh, loved it and hated it at the same time... "

" loved reading this book in high school for an English class. Need to read it again! "

" What else to do but read "

" I wanted to like it - a college professor friend recommended the title whole heartedly - I wanted to like it. I just couldn't get going after the first chapter I lost interest, but perhaps I'll pick it up again and find that wonderful story further along in the book. "

" Hard to get into, but worth it once you do. The second half is riveting, though in many ways frustrating and heart-wrenching. Good! "

" Thomas Hardy depresses the Hell out of me. Angel Clare is such a wet noodle! What more can I say? Brilliant writing, though... Angel Clare is such a wet noodle! "

" one of my favorite books. have more thoughts. placeholder review. "

" What else to do but read "

" Not my favorite book that's for sure. I'm also not sorry that I read it. I would not urge anyone to read it. "

" After reading this novel for the second time, I was unable to function for an entire week. "

" Obligatory read at school. Sigh. "

" I enjoyed the story though I would have liked more joy for poor Tess. I was however at times bored with the lengthy descriptive narratives. "

" very sad, but I found it strangely endearing in certain places "

" One of my personal favorite books... "

" Love it but a sad ending. "

" Kind of a slow read with out of date imagery. "

" Not much actually happens, but it's described really beautifully. "

" Was there ever anyone as misfortunate as Tess? Dilemma after dilemma! I enjoyed the book more now, than I did when I was in high school. "

" It's definately not a fast read, but Tess of the D'urbervilles is really a wonderful book. I totally recomend it "

" It made want to cry for Tess, her life was so tragic... "

" I had to read this book in school. I didn't like it. Not enough guns or adventure for my taste. "

" I read this book years ago and it is one of my favorite Hardy novels, despite its bleakness. My dad prefers some of his other works, but at the I read this, the tragedy of it appealed to me. "

" I hate this book with a vengeance! There is nothing wrong with the writing, in fact it is very well written. The characters are strong and believable. No! I hate it because it is so unrelentingly depressing!!!!! If you enjoy being depressed then go for it. Otherwise avoid! "

" One of my favourite heroines! "

" An incredible story. Very well written. The characters have amazing depth. I loved it! "

" It was supposed to have a happy ending. Instead, it broke my heart. "

" This book was good to a point. The ending was horrible. "

" I loved this book even though it was so very sad. "

" Definitely in my top five books! Emotional and tragic, but so moving! "

" Not my favorite book that's for sure. I'm also not sorry that I read it. I would not urge anyone to read it. "

" Good book, I could tell that it was written a long time ago. Also thought the author was really descriptive on some things that weren't all that important. The last few chapters didn't go how I expected them to go, and I liked the surprise, even though it was kinda sad. "

" Illustrates the double standards between men and women back in the day. Is it so very different now? "

" Thomas Hardy had a pessimistic view of the world and this novel reflects that attitude. The characters are wonderful, however, and I love this book for a glimpse of what life was like in England in the mid 19 th century. "

" A much deserved five stars. "

" I really enjoyed this book. It raised a lot of discussion about class inequality and gender differences. Many themes persist in our modern ear. The tragedy of Tess' naivite, her family's ill luck, and her idealism was gripping. "

" Well written!!! But oh so depressing!!! "

" Kept me turning the pages, but the men were both jerks and the girl was pretty stupid and a little one-dimensional. "

" Not what I thought, but I liked it. "

" I think the story itself was okay, the metaphors and the idea behind it was something to uphold, but its writing didn't do justice to the story. It was too dense, too dull for me. It's not something I recommend to read to pass the time. "

" Loved the setting, and the struggle between natural instincts and morality that opposes it. "

" I am definitely glad I read this, despite many chapters of horrible sadness. I did really enjoy the author's recurring use of themes and analysis of the morals of Society versus Nature at that time period. "

" Another of my A level literature text. while my classmates scorned upon the protagonist, i always had a soft spot for her. "

" I very much enjoyed this book although at times Tess aggravated me. Too proud to claim what is rightfully hers, she leads herself from one miserable situation into another. Nevertheless, a good book. "

" Such a heartbreaking story. Hardy's writing and subtle moral code that was woven into the story was haunting. I constantly found myself questioning my own ideals and found them strengthened in many ways by this book. "

" A tragic, passionate story about a young woman in Dorset, England in the late 1800s. Never having read other works by Thomas Hardy, I was blown away by his unconventional observations on psychology, religion and society. "

" Worth the read due to its fame and it's author. Frustratingly descriptive at times, and some of the old English is inaccessible. Nevertheless it clearly has had an influence on modern times and a is a part of literary heritage. "

" One of the greatest books I've ever read in my life "

" Hard to get into, but worth it once you do. The second half is riveting, though in many ways frustrating and heart-wrenching. Good! "

" I read this book years ago and it is one of my favorite Hardy novels, despite its bleakness. My dad prefers some of his other works, but at the I read this, the tragedy of it appealed to me. "

" I did my final paper for high school on this book. I loved it. "

" Just re-read this one. This book in particular played in an important part of my life. Ah, nostalgia. "

" I enjoyed this book emmensly. It was a fun read. Great charictor development and a good story. "

" A Thomas Hardy classic. Great story, and characters "

" This was quite the tragedy. Not written in an angsty sort of way though. It had enough emotion to keep you curious and enough life story to keep you from turning away. "

" So good one of those books you can't get out of your mind after you finished. "

" What a sad story--women have less of a problem with this type of prejudice today, but it is not eradicated. "

" This book was amazing and Hardy's use of prose made it worth while. The book, unlike many, ends in tragedy but is amazing all on its own. "

" I really liked the story, but, like so many classics, is so hard to understand and follow along because of the dialogue "

" Gotta love the old classics. Always well written and teach good life lessons. "

" Thomas Hardy was a poet, and his prose is luminous. I don't think they write that way anymore! "

" Way to break my heart :'( "

" this book was so sad. Tess' only advantage. in life deceived her. society was cruel to her. she lived her life with integrity, and she was still treated with no respect. I am so angry with Angel. he was blinded by his embedded Calvinistic views, the very views he scoffed. he was a hypocrite. "

" After reading this novel for the second time, I was unable to function for an entire week. "

" Depressing, am NOT a Hardy fan. "

" One of my favorite books of all time. I read this when I was 15, made me a Thomas Hardy fan - did my senior thesis on him. Haven't read him in years but seeing his books listed by another reading buddy makes me think I need to go back and reopen the covers of his works. "

" My second read of this book brought even more insights into the characters involved in the story/tragedy. I still consider Thomas Hardy the finest of story tellers. "

" This book was amazing and Hardy's use of prose made it worth while. The book, unlike many, ends in tragedy but is amazing all on its own. "

" This re-reading has reminded me why I've avoided Tess for about a decade: I find it absolutely maddening! Or, more to the point, I find her absolutely maddening. "

" I enjoyed this book....lots of tragedy, but hope, as well. "

" Loved it! One of my favourite books ever! "

" I very very nearly wrote my MA on Mr Hardy. He writes such wonderfully subversive pastorals and strong, strong women. Tess contains some of the most important scenes in English Literature- the forcing of the berry through the lips and the spread of the red stain, for example.... "

" Forced to read this for my VCE Lit class, I have since realized that I should be very thankful for it! "

" I enjoyed the story though I would have liked more joy for poor Tess. I was however at times bored with the lengthy descriptive narratives. "

" Not my kind of book i guess, it failed to engage me so it was hard for me to read "

" A poetic telling of a tragic love story. A great classic to listen to. "

" Ughh...Tess drives me crazy. The only part that I really liked was when she stabbed him back. "

" Engrossing and yet maddening, in that Thos Hardy had a terrible habit of making his heroines pay for the unenlightened times they live in (and aren't they all?). "

" Hardy's sad story of Tess, trying to overcome- to be good and find love, only to be destined for other things.. Is a great read. "

" I wanted to like it - a college professor friend recommended the title whole heartedly - I wanted to like it. I just couldn't get going after the first chapter I lost interest, but perhaps I'll pick it up again and find that wonderful story further along in the book. "

" Kind of sad, but shows the picture of the society of that time. Enjoyed reading it. "

" it was quite good i think. i'm not good at rating out of 5. "

" tess tess...!! its sad, true and motivating. its life. Slightly slow , but then its a classic . "

" I really enjoyed it! Though I ended up not liking Angel in the end. "

" I went through a phase of reading anything I could get my hands on by Thomas Hardy (I was 17!). I still love this book! "

" I really enjoyed it! Though I ended up not liking Angel in the end. "

" I went through a phase of reading anything I could get my hands on by Thomas Hardy (I was 17!). I still love this book! "

" I went through a phase of reading anything I could get my hands on by Thomas Hardy (I was 17!). I still love this book! "

" I really enjoyed it! Though I ended up not liking Angel in the end. "

" I really enjoyed it! Though I ended up not liking Angel in the end. "

" I went through a phase of reading anything I could get my hands on by Thomas Hardy (I was 17!). I still love this book! "

" I really enjoyed it! Though I ended up not liking Angel in the end. "

" I went through a phase of reading anything I could get my hands on by Thomas Hardy (I was 17!). I still love this book! "

" I really enjoyed it! Though I ended up not liking Angel in the end. "

" I went through a phase of reading anything I could get my hands on by Thomas Hardy (I was 17!). I still love this book! "

" A lot of times when I have violent hatred for a novel I end up reading it again and loving it. I anticipate that this will be one such novel, but boy howdy did T. Hardy piss me off as a writer. "

" This is my all time favourite book. It stayed with me for days after I had finished reading it. "

" This is my all time favourite book. It stayed with me for days after I had finished reading it. "

" A lot of times when I have violent hatred for a novel I end up reading it again and loving it. I anticipate that this will be one such novel, but boy howdy did T. Hardy piss me off as a writer. "

" This is my all time favourite book. It stayed with me for days after I had finished reading it. "

" A lot of times when I have violent hatred for a novel I end up reading it again and loving it. I anticipate that this will be one such novel, but boy howdy did T. Hardy piss me off as a writer. "

" This is my all time favourite book. It stayed with me for days after I had finished reading it. "

" A lot of times when I have violent hatred for a novel I end up reading it again and loving it. I anticipate that this will be one such novel, but boy howdy did T. Hardy piss me off as a writer. "

" This is my all time favourite book. It stayed with me for days after I had finished reading it. "

" This is my all time favourite book. It stayed with me for days after I had finished reading it. "

" A lot of times when I have violent hatred for a novel I end up reading it again and loving it. I anticipate that this will be one such novel, but boy howdy did T. Hardy piss me off as a writer. "

" A lot of times when I have violent hatred for a novel I end up reading it again and loving it. I anticipate that this will be one such novel, but boy howdy did T. Hardy piss me off as a writer. "

" Supposedly Hardy's best book. Certainly the most touching and heart-wrenching. "

" Supposedly Hardy's best book. Certainly the most touching and heart-wrenching. "

" Supposedly Hardy's best book. Certainly the most touching and heart-wrenching. "

" Supposedly Hardy's best book. Certainly the most touching and heart-wrenching. "

" Supposedly Hardy's best book. Certainly the most touching and heart-wrenching. "

" Supposedly Hardy's best book. Certainly the most touching and heart-wrenching. "

" This took me a while to get through. Tess I found to be a very frustrating character. I discussed it with a friend who studied this book for a class and she enjoyed it more than me. Maybe I needed to have a class that studied this book to really get more out of it..... "

" This took me a while to get through. Tess I found to be a very frustrating character. I discussed it with a friend who studied this book for a class and she enjoyed it more than me. Maybe I needed to have a class that studied this book to really get more out of it..... "

" This took me a while to get through. Tess I found to be a very frustrating character. I discussed it with a friend who studied this book for a class and she enjoyed it more than me. Maybe I needed to have a class that studied this book to really get more out of it..... "

" This took me a while to get through. Tess I found to be a very frustrating character. I discussed it with a friend who studied this book for a class and she enjoyed it more than me. Maybe I needed to have a class that studied this book to really get more out of it..... "

" This took me a while to get through. Tess I found to be a very frustrating character. I discussed it with a friend who studied this book for a class and she enjoyed it more than me. Maybe I needed to have a class that studied this book to really get more out of it..... "

" This took me a while to get through. Tess I found to be a very frustrating character. I discussed it with a friend who studied this book for a class and she enjoyed it more than me. Maybe I needed to have a class that studied this book to really get more out of it..... "

" Good in passages but it goes on a bit. "

" Good in passages but it goes on a bit. "

" Good in passages but it goes on a bit. "

" Good in passages but it goes on a bit. "

" Good in passages but it goes on a bit. "

" Good in passages but it goes on a bit. "

" What can I say? It's Hardy's masterpiece! "

" What can I say? It's Hardy's masterpiece! "

" What can I say? It's Hardy's masterpiece! "

" What can I say? It's Hardy's masterpiece! "

" What can I say? It's Hardy's masterpiece! "

" What can I say? It's Hardy's masterpiece! "

" I would kill Angel if I could. Hate hate hate hate HATE him! To death! Give me a knife someone! "

" I would kill Angel if I could. Hate hate hate hate HATE him! To death! Give me a knife someone! "

" I would kill Angel if I could. Hate hate hate hate HATE him! To death! Give me a knife someone! "

" I would kill Angel if I could. Hate hate hate hate HATE him! To death! Give me a knife someone! "

" I would kill Angel if I could. Hate hate hate hate HATE him! To death! Give me a knife someone! "

" I would kill Angel if I could. Hate hate hate hate HATE him! To death! Give me a knife someone! "

" One of the worst books I've ever read - a moralistic tale full of cliched characters that each stand for a different moral virtue (or sin.) There is nothing of substance to latch on to in the plot in order to feel invested in the story. "

" One of the worst books I've ever read - a moralistic tale full of cliched characters that each stand for a different moral virtue (or sin.) There is nothing of substance to latch on to in the plot in order to feel invested in the story. "

" One of the worst books I've ever read - a moralistic tale full of cliched characters that each stand for a different moral virtue (or sin.) There is nothing of substance to latch on to in the plot in order to feel invested in the story. "

" One of the worst books I've ever read - a moralistic tale full of cliched characters that each stand for a different moral virtue (or sin.) There is nothing of substance to latch on to in the plot in order to feel invested in the story. "

" One of the worst books I've ever read - a moralistic tale full of cliched characters that each stand for a different moral virtue (or sin.) There is nothing of substance to latch on to in the plot in order to feel invested in the story. "

" One of the worst books I've ever read - a moralistic tale full of cliched characters that each stand for a different moral virtue (or sin.) There is nothing of substance to latch on to in the plot in order to feel invested in the story. "

" Read for the nth time last October... I never get tired of this book. It still comes across as sensational and action-packed - it must have seemed quite shocking when first published. "

" Read for the nth time last October... I never get tired of this book. It still comes across as sensational and action-packed - it must have seemed quite shocking when first published. "

" Read for the nth time last October... I never get tired of this book. It still comes across as sensational and action-packed - it must have seemed quite shocking when first published. "

" Read for the nth time last October... I never get tired of this book. It still comes across as sensational and action-packed - it must have seemed quite shocking when first published. "

" Read for the nth time last October... I never get tired of this book. It still comes across as sensational and action-packed - it must have seemed quite shocking when first published. "

" Read for the nth time last October... I never get tired of this book. It still comes across as sensational and action-packed - it must have seemed quite shocking when first published. "

" This is the absolute best classic I have ever read. I am a senior in college as an english major and I plan on using this book as my thesis. "

" Make a mistake and you're screwed. "

" This is the absolute best classic I have ever read. I am a senior in college as an english major and I plan on using this book as my thesis. "

" Make a mistake and you're screwed. "

" This is the absolute best classic I have ever read. I am a senior in college as an english major and I plan on using this book as my thesis. "

" Make a mistake and you're screwed. "

" This is the absolute best classic I have ever read. I am a senior in college as an english major and I plan on using this book as my thesis. "

" Make a mistake and you're screwed. "