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Cover of Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Literary Fiction· United Kingdom

Tess of the d'Urbervilles

by Thomas Hardy
Aggregate Editorial Score40/100
Times Literary Supplement
Published 1891457 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. Tess Durbeyfield, a pure woman by Hardy's own subtitle, is seduced and ruined by the wealthy Alec d'Urberville and cannot be accepted by the man she loves. Hardy's greatest and most controversial novel is a passionate protest against the sexual double standard of Victorian England. Themes of gender, sexuality, tragedy run through the work. The book has received recognition from Times Literary Supplement 1891.

Book Details

AuthorThomas Hardy
Published1891
Country of Origin🇬🇧 United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Pages457
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780141439594
Editorial Score40/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

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Country of Origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1891 in United Kingdom, it engages with gender, sexuality, tragedy, Victorian England in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Times Literary Supplement 1891. Its aggregate editorial score of 40/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. Readers coming to Tess of the d'Urbervilles for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of gender, sexuality, tragedy, Victorian England is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Within United Kingdom's literary landscape, Thomas Hardy occupies a significant position. Tess of the d'Urbervilles is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Times Literary Supplement
list · global
189112
✍️
About the Author
Thomas Hardy
United Kingdom
View Author →

Thomas Hardy is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tess of the d'Urbervilles about?

Tess Durbeyfield, a pure woman by Hardy's own subtitle, is seduced and ruined by the wealthy Alec d'Urberville and cannot be accepted by the man she loves. Hardy's greatest and most controversial novel is a passionate protest against the sexual double standard of Victorian England.

Who wrote Tess of the d'Urbervilles?

Tess of the d'Urbervilles was written by Thomas Hardy, from United Kingdom. First published in 1891.

What awards has Tess of the d'Urbervilles won?

Tess of the d'Urbervilles has received the following awards and honours: Times Literary Supplement 1891.

Is Tess of the d'Urbervilles worth reading?

Tess of the d'Urbervilles is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 12/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in gender, sexuality, tragedy.

Where can I buy Tess of the d'Urbervilles?

You can buy Tess of the d'Urbervilles on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Tess of the d'Urbervilles?

Tess of the d'Urbervilles is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Tess of the d'Urbervilles from?

Tess of the d'Urbervilles originates from United Kingdom's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Kingdom on our country page.

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