I need to decide what to read next: The Phantom of the Opera or Jude the Obscure

StColumbofNavron · 2023-08-28T17:05:11+00:00

Relevant information - I do like a bleak tale - I have loved (as much as one can) Tess and Return of the Native - I like Gothic - I want something all encompassing (I've been reading a lot of light, breezy fiction lately that was fine but didn't sweep me up) - a GoodReads review compared the Phantom to Heathcliff which almost swung it for me as I adore Wuthering Heights So which shall I opt for?

58 replies

StColumbofNavron · 28/08/2023 18:05

Relevant information

I do like a bleak tale
I have loved (as much as one can) Tess and Return of the Native
I like Gothic
I want something all encompassing (I've been reading a lot of light, breezy fiction lately that was fine but didn't sweep me up)
a GoodReads review compared the Phantom to Heathcliff which almost swung it for me as I adore Wuthering Heights

So which shall I opt for?

OP posts:

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 10/09/2023 22:20

Maybe? Does he go around mumbling inarticulately? Is he shy? 🤔😄

JayAlfredPrufrock · 10/09/2023 22:23

Oh I may have to re read all my Hardy’s.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 10/09/2023 22:30

Get out while you still can.
Nobody should read Jude the Obscure.

Gremlinsateit · 10/09/2023 22:35

MotherOfCrocodiles · 10/09/2023 22:30

Get out while you still can.
Nobody should read Jude the Obscure.

Too right!

He is Jude the Obscure because … spoilers … 😉

Klingons · 10/09/2023 22:37

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 09/09/2023 12:58

I have never read it. Good luck StColumb.
Why is Jude called obscure?! Does he talk in riddles?!* *

Doesn't he refer to himself as obscure at some point? Also there's a sense that he has a lot of potential and that life doesn't allow him to make much of it.. so he stays obscure.

HarrietSchulenberg · 10/09/2023 22:45

Once you've finished, have a breather then get stuck into The Tenant of Wildfell Hall as that's pretty bleak too.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 10/09/2023 22:46

Thank you Klingons!

Original poster

StColumbofNavron · 11/09/2023 07:15

@HarrietSchulenberg I have actually read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. There is a spark of hope there isn’t there. I did really enjoy it though. Helen was quite remarkable (she was called Helen I think).

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