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

[StColumbofNavron]

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?

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

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

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

Too right!

He is Jude the Obscure because … spoilers … 😉

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.

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

Thank you Klingons!

@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).