Angel Clare...

[AphraBehn]

I know it's been discussed on here a few times but I've only just got around to reading Tess of The D'Ubervilles.

What a shit he is! I am really indignant about it. Haven't been this engrossed by a book for ages though.

[ExitPursuedByADragon]

Christopher Ecclestone is my not so secret passion.

[Balloonist]

And although it wasn't the greatest of adaptations, perhaps, I thought Ecclestone was a pretty awesome Jude and when I think of Jude I just see Ecclestone's face now.

Not a bad thing by any means

[UptoapointLordCopper]

Must get rid of my copy before DD progresses beyond Level 2 in reading. Quite.

I don't think I can read Jude again either. Maybe I'll chop off the ending before reading it again? Would that be safe? One of the scariest books ever, I think.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Angel Clare is a cock.

I will never read Jude again. Must get rid of my copy before DD progresses beyond Level 2 in reading .

Seriously, I read it at 17 and couldn't let it go for a fortnight. It would destroy me now.

[Bink]

Yes Jude should be left till you have read everything else (a bit like leaving Lear to last). The cumulative impact is part of the essence.

Also, if you major on Hardy tragedy then you might miss out on Hardy comedy - the thing I always loved was how funny his genre bits are - he does eg ancient men grumbling egotistically across each other just brilliantly. That's the side of him I think gets under-recognised.

[wigglybeezer]

"Jude" is the only one I haven't read, I have held back for some reason. think I should read it.

[Balloonist]

Yes Angel is horrible but Tess's undoing was her mother's ambition for her in the first place which leads her off on that path. Everyone lets Tess down.

Some people think Tess is attracted to Alec ( non subtle predator that he is) and is courted by him for some time before he takes advantage (Polanski's film takes that angle). Some argue it's seduction rather than rape and that Alec takes advantage of Tess's ignorance. He does say he would support her if she got pregnant and I believe he does "love" her. Not trying to exonerate him but he's a more complex character than Angel.

Love "Jude". My mum told me never to read it which piqued my interest and I saved it till last. Jude Fawley is pretty much the ideal man- he was too good for Sue really (although I love what Sue has to say about marriage) and male and female relationships. Problem was Sue is too cerebral and Arabella too carnal and Jude was pretty much the whole package and needed someone who was his intellectual and physical match.

It's truly a devastating novel- the best one to finish on- hardy wrote it and gave up writing novels himself.

[wigglybeezer]

I studied Hardy in sixth year, it was heady stuff for a teenager, Tess is heart breaking. The film version starring Natassia Kinski is amazing (was it Polanski?). i still have all my copies somewhere, about due for a reread, especially Under the Greenwood Tree.

Similar themes to Hardy in my favourite Scottish novel Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibson, if you have never read it I can recommend it.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Sanctimonious little prick sums him up well. Stupid cabbage leaf wearing hypocrite.

Hardy irritates the hell out of me nowadays though. So many of his characters, male and female, need a good slapping - Susan from 'Jude' needs the biggest. :)

[NotCitrus]

Jude the Obscure is the most depressing book in the English language. Don't say we didn't warn you.

[ExitPursuedByADragon]

Agree. Angel Clare is a self righteous git.

[AphraBehn]

That's it Kurri, the sheer bloody injustice of it all. Hardy shows how little choice Tess has in any aspect of her life, even right at the beginning when she is made to go to the D'Ubervilles by her father. And of course everything that happens is deemed to be her own fault.
I loved how strong and self sufficient she tried to be but these bloody men just kept knocking her down.
Angel is still a shit, think he gained some self awareness rather than redemption and will live in guilt.

[KurriKurri]

Maybe a bit of fluff first - Jude is very very tough going in the sobbing department - Try Under The greenwood Tree - it's a rare cheerful one!

I know how you feel though - I find it hard to read Tess - I feel so sick with sadness for her and everything that happens to her, and so angry with the likes of Angel and Alec. - I love the Victorian novelists who tried to change attitudes - and Hardy does it so powerfully.

[AphraBehn]

Is moving on to Jude the Obscure straight away a bad move?
Do I need to read some happy fluff first?

[AphraBehn]

Have just finished it. Sobbed so much that my husband heard me from another room!

Need to gather my thoughts and post them...

[WednesdayNext]

But again, the marrying of Tess's sister shows Angel as a product of his times.

The ending is awful though. Heartbreaking.

I don't know that Angel does redeem himself. He tries, but I'm not sure he manages.

[UptoapointLordCopper]

Tess is the most relentlessly miserable book I've ever read. Angel Clare is awful.

Jude the obscure - I haven't dared to reread it.... I thought I read somewhere that there was criticism about how Sue behaved in the end. They thought she wouldn't have done it. >

[Notmoreschoolholidays]

Angel is a total knobber! And although Hardy tries to expose the double standard of the day, he still isn't harsh enough to Angel.

Angel feels bad and comes back, says he's sorry blah blah blah, and then gets the reward of Tess' little Sister!!!!

I think Hardy should have made him die a lonely old hermit, wracked by grief and guilt, not given mini Tess for love and companionship. Yuk!

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

Far from the Madding Crowd has a happyish ending.

Jude is so sad - the "done because" bit is heartbreaking.

The Woodlanders is one of my favourites, although not a happy ending.

And yes, Angel Clare was horrible, although a product of his time and situation. Hardy was raging against the treatment of women.

[DuchessofMalfi]

You have to be feeling strong to tackle Hardy. Tess made me cry. I just don't think I'm going to want to read Jude any time soon :(

[KurriKurri]

First rule of Hardy Club -Never expect a happy ending
I see you haven't read Jude The Obscure yet - you'll need to stock up with tissues for that one!

Woodlanders is another one of my favourites, and for a really lovely 'curl up in an armchair at Christmas with your cocoa' read - Under The Greenwood Tree.

You've inspired me to re-read them all - I'm going to have myself a Hardy-a-thon!

[MardyBra]

"Good job I'm not expecting a happy ending".

Yes, that would be wise with Hardy.

[AphraBehn]

I haven't read the ending yet (although I do know how it ends) so can't comment on that. Good job I'm not expecting a happy ending!

I"ve just read the chapter after their wedding and think that Hardy is very critical but I am gasping at his hypocrisy, and selfishness.

Kurri I've read Far From The Madding Crowd and The Mayor of Casterbridge. Had always avoided Hardy as I thought I wouldn't enjoy them but I love his writing.

[DuchessofMalfi]

Cruel double standards, when he wasn't a virgin and yet expected Tess to be.

What did you think of the ending? Do you think Angel, in any way, redeemed himself for his past behaviour towards Tess?

[Greythorne]

Yes, quite. I do think Hardy thought she was not a fallen woman in the way his peers probably would have.