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Summary: Conceivably the worst classic I've ever had to read
Review: Tess of the d'Urbervilles is a novel remarkable only in its quality to inspire hatred from those unfortunates forced to read it. Melodramatic and unrealistic, it meanders interminably exploring the theme of a "pure woman" before finally finishing with an ending that has little impact on the disgusted reader. Tess is, in short, a useless book. Apart from keeping a healthy fire roaring in my hearth, Tess contains little of merit. Well, I suppose one could improve one's vocabulary by reading Tess (fun, but completely useless words like "prestidigitation" abound), but reading "How to improve your verbal scores on the SAT" is inarguably more concise and probably more entertaining. Not to say that there is nothing to be learned from the characters. Simply observe their actions in certain situations and do the opposite. The three main characters, particularly Tess, are just begging to have a little common sense smacked into them. However, Tess can be considered enigmatic in one respect. Hardy seems to be unable to decide whether she is just ordinarily pretty, or 'a dazzling fair milkmaid' so it is up to the reader, should he still be awake, to decide. At any rate, her big, multi-colored eyes and Pre-Raphaelite hair and figure hide a complete vapidity painfully evident to the modern reader. She only develops a spine near the end of the novel, when such a change is unconvincing and thoroughly out of character. So...a predictable and heavily padded plot, infuriating characters, too much symbolism, inappropriate philosophical discussions and a great dollop of Victorian fluff. The result? Tess of the d'Urbervilles roasting on an open fire.
Rating: 
Summary: Ok book
Review: This book was a good book at times and a somewhat boring book at times. I was assigned this book to read for english class. In my class there were those who liked it and those who didn't. I on the other hand thought it to be just Ok. Tess had her moments when you wanted to cheer her on but most of the time was spent looking back to try and understnad what happened, and many times the book was such that it put you to sleep ( which happened to me on 7 occasions ). In all it is not a bad book, but I would not recommend it to younger readers, and if any english teachers are reading this please think about what your students would like to read not yourself and what you think is good.
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Summary: "Tess" is a wonderful story of innocents and disapiontment.
Review: "Tess of the d'Ubervilles" is the story of a young and innocent woman who wants nothing more than to live a happy life. Every time Tess comes close to happiness something goes wrong. By the end of the book the emotional stress of Tess's life is clear, leaving the reader sympathetic to her misfotune.
Rating:
Summary: fascinating summation of a different culture.
Review: fascinating story of an ancient civilization
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Summary: Tess got under my skin
Review: I had difficulty at first staying with the book but after a couple of chapters I couldn't put Tess down. As her character developed she showed me what a fine line the Victorian woman lived --whether to profess her thoughts, will, love or to abide by society's wishes and be self-sacrificing and totally obedient to the man she loves. Without spoiling the ending, her last act was the crescendo of all of the small ways in which she held herself back. There were times that I pleaded with her to "go to him" or "tell him" but it would have been out of character for a woman of her day. Hardy kept us informed of the landscape, weather and all living things in Tess's environment, which I found breathtaking on many occasions. He painted the picture of his perfect woman. So perfect that he didn't want anyone to have her because he loved her himself. I enjoyed Tess very much.
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Summary: Terrifying
Review: An utterly terrifying tale of a woman and her difficulties in life. Realistic and easily understood, at heart that is.
Rating:
Summary: Re: Can I shoot myself now??
Review: I disagree that Tess is an insult to women. It is the contrary! In the time when marrying rich men is in fashion and prostitutes are considered the victims of society, Tess sets a very high moral standard for us. She'd rather be doing hard labor in the winter field than doing prostitution. It breaks my heart that she eventually had to do it in order to support her family. She also did it out of despair of love...
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Summary: One of the best Victorian literature ever...
Review: Tess of the D'Urbervilles is one of the best books I have ever set my eyes upon. I have tried to finish the book in one sitting but found out that I can't because there is just so many things to figure out in the story. No doubt, fate plays such an important role in the life of Tess Durbeyfield and it is due to her noble descent that spawns the events leading to her own demise. The ending of the story is somewhat disturbing. Should we feel happy that Angel fufiled Tess's wish or should we feel sad for Tess?
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Summary: WAS IT ASSIGNED AS HOMEWORK?
Review: After reading many of the reviews, I find that all the readers who absolutely abhorred this book HAD to read it due to some assignment by an instructor. This is too funny. I was not assigned it, therefore I loved it. I am trying to catch up on my classics and am happy to say that this book is one of my favorites. Is Tess an insult to women? (A comment from another reviewer.) Absolutely not. I am Tess.
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Summary: Can I shoot myself now??
Review: A few years back I was forced to read "Tess" for my English class. Nobody in my class could ever finish reading the book... only a few of us could ever even finish the Cliff Notes for it. Our Professor tried solving the situation by renting us the video, but all of us were fast asleep half an hour into it.Tess is a bimbo with no brain and an insult to women, yes, even at that time! This book is over-rated and should not be called a classic. If you really want to read good literature, read D.H.Lawrence, read Tolstoy, read evn modern classical writers like Achebe, but for crying out loud, do NOT waste your time and money on "Tess.."
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