Jude the Obscure (Wordsworth Classics)

Good book. Well written by Thomas Hardy. Older books are under appreciated but this one is a gem, even in 2026.

Muy buena versión

As with Tess of the d'Urbervilles, if you like tragic, historic romances, you'll love this book. For that matter, if you like soap operas, you'll probably like this book. Furthermore, it isn't nearly as overly wordy as Tess, or for that matter most 19th Century fiction. Its style is much more concise and direct than most of its contemporaries, although still a bit stilted by modern standards. But what's more, this book is worthwhile from another standpoint entirely: it is a scathing condemnation of traditional marriage("And so, standing before the aforesaid officiator, the two swore that at every other time of their lives until death took them, they would assuredly believe, feel, and desire precisely as they had believed, felt, and desired during the few preceding weeks. What was as remarkable as the undertaking itself was that nobody seemed at all surprised at what they swore.") and traditional religion, and of ruining one's life by living it to please society and its strictures; and while society has changed much since the days this book was written in (and about), there are those who would argue that those changes were not for the better; that liberalizing attitudes toward divorce, and toward living together without benefit of marriage, have been a seriously bad thing. This book is an excellent look at how it was not always such a good thing for people to be forced into marriages that were clearly not compatible, and forced to stay in them. And while, as I say, times have changed a great deal, there are still far too many people who marry just as precipitously as Jude did Arabella, or Sue did Phillotson, and with no better reasons. It says here that it is a distinct improvement in our society that when people make such a mistake, it can be rectified without totally destroying their lives forever after. Granted, if you're looking for a worthwhile or positive female character, this is not the book to read; of the two main female characters, one is conniving, mercenary, rude and vulgar, (reminding me a great deal of Moll Flanders, from the DeFoe title of the same name, but without her redeeming charm) while the other is neurotic, selfish, whiny, and inconsistent. If you're looking for a worthwhile female character, "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" is a much better choice. Or better yet, the aforementioned "Moll Flanders". But in general, this book is much better written than "Tess". For one thing, although it is just as much of a tragic romance, if not more so, the characters do not ALWAYS make the wrong choices. They occasionally make good choices, and get a little bit of happiness as a result. This makes for a much better balanced book, and a much more realistic one. But it is definitely not for everyone.

Great value for a classic book

a tom hardy classic lol

I love this story so much. But at the same time it's so sad and Sue is so insufferable!! It is still such a good book though.

Loved it the first time I read it when I was a teenager. Still love it. It is better than Far from the Madding Crowd.

The book is new and arrived sooner that I expected. Thank you for include a book mark. Everytime I buy something here, Im so happy. Thank you!

"Jude the Oscure" é uno dei miei classici preferiti, e adoro le edizioni della Wordsworth Classics! Sono super economiche, ma allo stesso tempo sono ben curate. Ho trovato la prefazione molto utile e interessante!

I find Hardy difficult to read, because the language is of its time (over descriptive and using many words when a handful should suffice). Plus this novel was originally serialised, and like all such books you get the feeling the author was padding to reach his editor's required 10,000 word count for each episode. Having said that this is by far my favourite Hardy novel. Dealing with incredibly challenging topics (for the time) or pre-marital sex, bigamy, adultery, the hypocrisy of the Church, the snobbery of academia, it's a wonderful vision of how much the lives of ordinary people are blighted by the social mores of the time. You have to think Hardy was way ahead of his time when this was published - and clearly had sufficient secure income to know he wouldn't have to worry if no-one bought his books in the future, because boy does this one lay it on the line for the powers that be. I absolutely loved this book - a real page turner, if there can be such a thing in a Victorian novel.

Very readable book.

I rate this book because it didn't disappoint. It was depressing but nevertheless captivating.I so wanted Jude to have a happy ending, his character was so endearing to me. From some unknown reason I disliked Sue from the start, to much me.me. The same with his wife Adelaide but for different reasons . Would like to have shaked Thomas Hardy's hand as to how conniving women can be to get their man.If Hardy had written this book today it would in many ways have little impact. Children born out of wedlock, unmarried couples is the accepted norm, moral values long on the decline. My last remark which justifies my dislike of Sue is her reason the children should have died for her sin.Never could get my head around religion!! Great book, recommend it.

Prezzo imbattibile anche se dopo un po', come tutti i libri di questa collana, si usura facilmente.