Gibson Books

I don't know if I have such great memories of this book because my friends I made such fun of it--but most of the books we mock are things we truly enjoyed.

Honestly, we all get a little sick of the depression and the whininess, but essentially this is a deep and thought-provoking novel of early feminism. It's symbolic and beautiful despite all its darkness.

The protagonist of this excellent novel is commonly seen as a victim of the repression and hopelessness of women's desires for autonomy in middle-class American society around the end of the 19th century. This view is easily justifiable, and Chopin does give the reader plenty of pointers toward this interpretation.
But a different and also arguable view is that Edna Pontellier is not so much a victim, but rather a failure. Just what is her problem? Her husband is well off and considerate. He married her for love, and now finds himself with a wife whom he "meet[s] in the morning at the breakfast table." He tells her about his day and she doesn't listen. She's popular among her social set. She has plenty of servants. Even when she unilaterally declares her independence, dropping her social life, neglecting the children and the household, brusquely telling her husband "Let me alone, you bother me" and apparently denying him the pleasures of the marriage bed, he tolerates and indulges her in an even-tempered manner, merely asking for but not even insisting that she manage the household better. She then moves into her own house, leaving her husband behind, and he tolerates that too.
Whatever her problems, what is her program? She lives on fantasies of unrequited love; she lacks empathy for others (including her children); she's egoistic to a fine point. She acts on impulse; her desires are vague. She comes to know what she does not want - to belong to any man - but cannot formulate or pursue what she does want beyond incoherent, fanciful and impractical fragments. She won't pay her dues as wife and mother - even though those dues are very light. She realizes that she doesn't want to belong to any man, and she hasn't the courage to be alone. She takes some steps to change her life, has some partial success, but when she's rejected by Lebrun, the younger man who is too honorable to have an affair with a married woman (whom she has already realized she doesn't want either) she just quits. She's a malcontent without much of a program or much of a spine. The novel's title suggests an irony: Edna wakes up but doesn't know what to do in the world to which she awakens.
Edna's vague desires seem to be for a kind of de-humanized autonomy. Husband, children, friends, society - she experiences all these as constraints. She yearns to re-invent herself, but in a world with no attachments at all. This doesn't exist in life, and so - again without really realizing it - she chooses the only option that will free her from all those clingy attachments - death. At age 28, she gives up. Unable to do anything positive, she commits an act of complete rejection - of everything she has and anything to which she might aspire.
What's going on? If Chopin had wanted to write a simple exposé of woman as victim - the impossibility of a woman's desire for autonomy -- she could have made Edna a bit more gutsy, a bit less dreamy, a bit more positively purposeful. The literature of the time was full of women as victims - Emma Bovary, Anna Karenina, Manon Lescaut, Marguerite Gautier/Violetta Valéry, etc. etc. etc. None of them were half as sappy as Edna Pontellier. Has Chopin deliberately crafted something deeper and more sophisticated than just a screed about how tough it was to be a woman?
And there are still other possible interpretations - for example the very common one of the woman who acts immorally and is punished for it (see most of the heroines mentioned earlier in this note). Chopin has written a complex and ultimately ambiguous story. Is Edna a victim or is she a failure? Is she justly punished or unjustly repressed? Chopin has given us a game of reader's choice, including the richer appreciation that Edna is both a victim and a failure, both repressed by social norms and punished for violating them. Let the reader enjoy!

On the cover page the following sentence caught my eye: "Written nearly one hundred years ago, THE AWAKENING is the compelling story of an extraordinary modern woman struggling against the constraints of marriage and motherhood, and slowly discovering the power of her own sexuality" (Avon Books). And truthfully, yes, that does sum everything up into a nice tidy bow. The novel is primarily about Edna Pontellier a woman in a loveless marriage. Edna wakes up from her half dead sleep once she embraces the emotions she didn't know she could even express. Edna embodies the classic tale of Phoenix: she is completely reborn.

The courage Chopin possessed to write this one hundred years ago is extraordinary. This is a feminist novel without being negative towards men. More than that, she explores feminine psyche in such a way that this novel could have been written in our time. But clearly, as the introductory page indicates, it was written nearly (now over) one hundred years ago. I can see why it was banned from libraries and schools. Edna, our protagonist, stands out from the rest of the Creole characters. Unlike the other women, she is not particularly attached to her children. She loves them of course, but she doesn't dote on them as the mothers (like Madame Ratignolle), nor does she seem to believe that the world revolves around her husband. On the contrary, Edna feels a longing she cannot explain. A belief that there is something more out there than just this. Psychologically this reminds me extensively of "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Everyone else is so quick to diagnose her without even wanting to listen to what she wants! Though we cannot be for certain (since it is merely implied but not stated), it appears that Edna also displays symptoms of depression.

Edna goes through a complete metamorphosis with her character. Her deconstruction begins by getting over her fear of swimming. There is such a beautiful scene with her swimming in the ocean after a party in the evening, with other people swimming and watching her. She keeps swimming until it frightens her how far she has ventured and she returns elated to her husband (who of course only says she didn't really go that far out). The turning point happens later when Robert (another man) returns with her and wishes her a good night and for the first time in YEARS she "felt pregnant with the first-felt throbbings of desire" (51). It is here that Edna AWAKENS from her half awake-half dead going-through-the-motions life. It is after this scene that her husband and people begin to notice a difference within her.

There are so many memorable scenes in this novel. What I enjoyed the most was seeing Edna's growth as an individual. Instead of doing wifely duties of visiting with her husbands' client's wives, she chose to go to the horse races and gamble (and win). She painted and committed herself to reading more and educating herself. She sold her paintings for money. She bought her own small abode (the pigeon house). She firmly established herself as an independent, career-oriented full person. She loved her children, but felt more at peace when they were gone. There is something to be said about that; not all women, Ms. Chopin may have been saying, should aspire to only be mothers. Why can't women enjoy themselves?

I won't spoil the ending but let me just say that it is very fitting. Even though it is the end of the novel Chopin leaves the readers thinking that Edna's life is just now beginning. Some will disagree, and that's what makes it so powerful. There is an implied ending, but truly we - as only students of literature - will never know for sure.

This book has become a feminist lit classic for a reason. It follows the story of Edna, a woman living in Louisiana and married to a Creole, through the span of a little less than a year. In that time, she experiences the "awakening" the title tells about--falls in love (not with her husband), leaves her home and family, and discovers her calling as an artist. On that level, the book works.

But as an actual *story*, well, not so much. Frankly, I found Edna less than sympathetic, especially in her actions towards her children. The ending is abrupt--I won't give it away--and a huge let down after the rest of the book. In essence, the book is building up to...nothing.

All in all, worth reading--but mainly so you can say you've read it. It's good, but nothing special. I read My Antonia around the same time as this, and I much prefered My Antonia. They are sort of similar, so if The Awakening sounds like something you might like but you aren't sure, try My Antonia instead.

This is a great book written by a great author. Sad at times but extremely good writing. I also recommend Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I don't know where to start. It's pretty difficult to review a book in which nothing takes place. This book lacks... well, just about everything. It lacks half a sentence of substance. Nothing in the story is connected; I read the book and wondered, "What is this about? What was the story?" Actually, I have a confession to make: I didn't actually read the book in its entirety; I read the first half and was so disgusted by it that I had to read the summaries for the rest of the chapters online. It is that bad.

Normally I listen to other people's opinions but I am making it a fact in my mind that this book is the worst book I have ever read. If you disagree, you are wrong. That is how terrible this book was. It was a complete waste of my money. It was required reading for school. I always read the books regardless of whether I like them or not, only reading summaries after finishing to make sure I understood the whole story. This is the first book I have ever relied on reviews to finish. My teacher worhips this book but there is nothing good about it. If anybody can explain to me what this book is about in a way that makes sense, I will give them ten dollars.

So far, everyone in my school has failed to explain it to me. This book is everything Flowers for Algernon tries to be (that's not a good thing).

As many do, I read this in preparation for tackling Ulysses, in which Stephen Dedalus makes a return appearance. This has been called Joyce's most accessible work, however I found Dubliners faster paced reading personally.

The style of the book changes as the title character matures from a young child to a young man. The part that affected me most was the episode at school where, after he has fallen to immoral ways, a speech is given on Hell that is as riveting and detailed as Dante's Inferno. The fiery pits are described as an abomination across all the senses, where not just pain from sensory touch is there but in smell, sight, taste, hearing - and quite effectively described.

Stephen's subsequent change after confession and struggle to achieve harmony with God is inspiring even given the eventual outcome of that attempt.

The latter part of the book bogs down considerably as it falls into philosophical debates on questions that many a young (and old) person ponders. The ending is hopeful but uncertain.

There are many editions of James Joyce's "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" available, but this is easily the best Kindle edition. The text is based on Chester Anderson's 1964 text. There are also a good number of annotations by Seamus Deane--fewer than in Anderson's Viking Critical edition but sometimes more detailed and aimed at a less scholarly audience. best of all, this edition is a very well constructed ebook, with a good table of contents to facilitate navigation to the beginning of chapters and with an excellent implementation of endnotes. Annotated items are marked witha superscripted number that links to the endnotes. The notes are all placed together, so you can read other notes rather than having to go back to the main text to go to other notes.

All in all, this is the best Kindle edition of Joyce's classic. The text is based on a standard version, the notes are helpful, and the implementation highlight the advantages of the Kindle format.

After having just finished reading Ulysses (and loving it) I decided it would be rewarding if I read 'A Portrait' next in order to delve further into Stephen Dedalus' character. (Moreover, I had also just finished reading Ellmann's famous biography of Joyce and felt inspired to read Joyce's own semi-autobiography). Unfortunately I was extremely disappointed with the dry, tedious narrative tone that Joyce adopted in writing his novel, especially within the overdrawn third chapter in which we learn the terrors of hell and damnation. Yes, I know the sermon sequence had great significance in Stephen's development from the primordial muck of biological existence to the more rarefied air of the soul, of human conscience and (above all) of the powers of artistic creativity. Nevertheless I found my thoughts wandering elsewhere when I was reading this book and many times I had to re-read whole pages because I had realized I was just reading the words without absorbing their content. While Ulysses drew me immediately into the consciousness of Bloom and Dedalus, 'A Portrait' was bland, cold and uninviting. I felt by the end of "A Portrait" that I was solely reading the book because it was Joyce and because it was deemed a classic. Perhaps I ruined A Portrait by reading Joyce's masterpiece first. Even if Ulysses can seem (at times) even more glacially abstract and opaque to the reader than A Portrait, Ulysses at least challenges you in such a way that you want to understand more about the text (its various allusions, its satire, its narrative experimentation, ect). I do not feel compelled to read A Portrait again, in fact (in the process of writing this review) I now feel compelled to re-read Ulysses and perhaps even Finnegan's Wake.

This is my second climbing of the Portrait mountain. It is hard going, but not because it is inaccessible, say in the way that Finnegans Wake is. The narration is clear straightforward English, but is very compact and full of allusions. If you have an edition with good annotation, it takes time to digest those. Otherwise you just miss too much. (I played golf on a tough links course last week; when you do not concentrate and do not play exactly to the fairway, you have a hard time finding your ball under the high grass, and if you find it, it is hard to play. Somehow I found that a nice simile for reading the Portrait.)
The book is one of the modern classics in the Bildungsroman genre. It is a novel about a young man who shares a lot with Mr.JJ, but is not exactly like him. It is structured in 5 chapters, which do not have titles. Let me try to assign titles to the chapters to give an idea of contents.
I Childhood and dicovery of courage
II Puberty and discovery of sin
III Exposure to a terrifying sermon, fear, remorse and confession
IV Piety and toying with vocation before narrow escape
V End of belief, split with home, country, and church.
A constant theme from the start to the end is the decline of the family's standing in society and the disappearance of its prosperity, down to plain poverty.
By the way, near the end, our hero has a discussion with a dogmatic Italian student about Giordano Bruno, the heretic. Opinions clash.
Why only 4 stars? I find the chapters 3 to 5 too dry in their devotion to repeating the sermon, then contemplating taking the vow, then debating art with fellow students. It becomes too much like a religious/philosophical treatment for a novel. (I can understand that students who have to read this by curriculum may not be so very enchanted with it.)

This truly is a classic and as others have said, not for everyone. Heart wrenching in the extreme. No sweetness, light and happily ever afters in this raw story of the life and times as they surely were in 19th England . Class structure, religious and moral strictures and the faults and failures of human nature are all laid bare here. Hardy writes with emotion and clarity. He pulls no punches and life in this period of history in the English countryside offered no safety net for a young girl like Tess D'Urberville.
Young Tess, barely fifteen years of age, is sent out into the world by her small rural village dwelling parents, who have newly found that they are descended from a formerly wealthy and ancient family that has all but disappeared through the centuries. This family was once well known and powerful, dating from the Norman Conquest, hence the original French name that was gradually altered and Anglicized through the centuries. The information the parents have concerning the dwindling of this old family line hints at something less than wholesome and honorable about the family history, but then the family histories of many of the ancient and landed families of the English aristocracy also have very dark periods they tell themselves. They would have been wiser to have asked themselves if wealth and stature were no longer attached to the D'Urberville family, should they have sent their vulnerable young daughter to claim a place among those who might not welcome her- and all for so little and such uncertain reward? They were both greedy and grasping social climbers who hoped their young daughter might open the door to wealth and a rise in rank in British society for the two of them as well. Tess' parents (who previously called themselves Durbeyfield) send her seeking the last of the D'Urbervilles to essentially claim her birthright and assume the station in life that they thought she should have despite her very humble upbringing with them. Tess is not street or life smart. She's naive as any young girl would be, though not at all stupid. Tess opens her heart to new people and experiences, as a young girl today might do coming from a small town to a larger city and coming face to face with the glamor, fascinating characters and enticements of urban high society. Tess is soon badly treated, seduced and victimized by those whom she thought were her friends and her new family members. From this point forward Tess tries desperately to find safety and security for herself and to protect her heart from being broken again. It will break even the hardest of hearts to read what this young girl experiences, all in an attempt to simply survive horrible hardship and grief and then to follow her heart to a man unworthy of her love. This story could easily translate to modern day life as it deals so effectively with class differences and socioeconomic differences, poverty, manipulation and exploitation, abuse, unwed pregnancy, abandonment, murder and much much more. A gripping story too. This is clearly the reason this is widely read in H.S. English classes and consequently why so many young women say they'll remember this touching and tragic story for their lifetimes. They cannot help but identify with Tess and the feelings that motivate her. If you've read it before in H.S. I suggest that you read it again with fresher more mature eyes and more life experience. You'll be glad you did and will certainly get much through a more mature understanding of Hardy's more subtle nuances and your own broadened experience of life and human nature. The BBC film version is really excellent as well and captures the bleakness and despair that Hardy so clearly uses to bind us as readers to Tess and to her life story until the bitter end. This is a cautionary tale with universal and timeless messages of "be very careful what you wish for, all that glitters isn't gold, the grass isn't always greener on the other side, and to thine own self be true".

One favorable evening, Tess in her white garb attends May-Day dance in sleepy town of Marllott. A passerby not used to sophistication will incline to notice her. It is not the extravagance, nay the ostentatiousness of the girl's beauty, but the softness in spirit and demeanor conspicuous on her big, beautiful eyes that sets her apart. The same passerby endowed with experience will not pinpoint Tess among the young, comely girls as someone prone to vicissitude of tragedies. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Tess Durbeyfield later known in the novel as Tess d'Urberville is the hapless victim if not the heroine of this tragic tale. Born from poor parents, she is whisk away to work for the rich d'Urberville family. There she meets Alec, the handsome scion of d'Urbervilles clan. His incessant seduction of the young maiden results in violation of her rights. Forlorn, she returns home to the embarrassment of her parents and her neighbors. Stripped of clear prospect in life, she travels miles and miles away to be a milkmaid. While in the vast dairy field of Thalbothay, Tess falls madly in love with Angel Clare, the fledgling agriculturist of noble descent, convinced to make the newcomer his wife. Thus the journey that leads Tess from one farm to another is side by side with her lamentations over the two Englishmen and becomes her heart's landscape that stretches beyond endurance.

Hardy, an architect by tuition, molds his male characters in an anvil of insensitivity. Their frozen hearts incapable of thawing by burning tears of a woman's pleading. As to his female character like Tess, Hardy constructs her similar to obelisk with solid foundation of faith that gradually narrows at the peak.

Unsurprisingly, Victorian society scorned Hardy when this novel came out in 1891. The way he chose to describe Tess and her violation were less subtle in comparison to Eliot's writings. At present society however, Thomas Hardy is as impeccable as the clock ticking on the wall. He is in command of his story as if time is in command of denizens elsewhere. Under no circumstance he pauses to please his readers. He continues and takes them where nothing exists but the certainty of time.

Tess Durbeyfield never really has a chance. Her father is a poor alcoholic and her mother is a slightly feeble-minded optimist. Tess has six younger siblings, and they are just barely scratching out a living in Victorian England. When her father hears that he is actually descended from a noble family, the D'Urbervilles, his heart swells with pride. When he and his wife find out that there is a rich family sharing their ancestral name living nearby, a plan is formed.

Tess, who is seventeen, will be sent to this other branch of their family, to claim kin. They will take her in, clean her up, and marry her off to a high-class gentleman who will be able to provide for Tess and the rest of the family. Off Tess goes to meet the other branch of her family. Little does she know that these D'Urbervilles are actually a recently rich blind old mother and her son by the name of Stokes, who have plucked D'Urberville out of an old book to adopt as their own, as it sounds classier than their real name.

Tess' connection to their family is never made clear to the old blind woman. Instead, her son Alec takes Tess in, gives her a job, and takes care of her day-to-day routine in his mother's name. He also makes romantic proposals to her, but she always turns him down. One late evening chance finds them alone together in the countryside, and Alec rapes her.

Tess goes back home, without the rich husband her parents expected, without any advancement in the world, and without her maidenhood or her dignity. Slowly she begins to piece her life back together. Three years later finds her at work as a milkmaid on a dairy farm. She catches the eye, then the heart, of a man there learning the trade. Angel Clare is the son of a minister, who quickly becomes determined to win over Tess. But will her past continue to haunt her?

I simply couldn't help myself from viewing this story through the lens of my own life and time, which made me so angry and frustrated with Tess. She allowed herself to be manipulated by everyone, from her parents who wanted her to marry rich in order to help their situation, to Alec and Angel, who each used her as they wished and discarded her when convenient. Never did Tess question her own fault in her situation; she simply accepted that everyone had the right to treat her like they did because of her rape as a teenager. It was horrifying for me to read her begging Angel for some tiny morsel of affection or forgiveness. Although I finished the book, Tess had lost my loyalty far from the end. She simply wasn't worth rooting for.

But if you get the Wordsworth Classics edition, don't read the introduction until you finish! I'm going to make this standard practice for all classics from now on. I was hoping for some background on Hardy but before I even realized what had happened I'd read a summary of the entire story in one paragraph, plot twists and all. And it really did ruin the climactic last couple chapters for me. I hate it when editors / publishers assume that if a novel is famous and critically acclaimed then the reader must already be familiar with the story. Completely false: In this day and age reading for pleasure isn't as widespread as it used to be and the old classics are fading into the distance. The story in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" is certainly not common knowledge anymore, so when you discover a gem like this I beg you not to ruin it for yourself by reading the canned introduction.

Still a fabulous read, certainly. The story centers on the simple, sincere, hard-working farmgirl Tess Durbeyfield who is fated to stumble into a few serious and unfortunate challenges over the couple years that the novel spans. Hardy spins a truly magnificently written and plotted tale in narrating poor Tess's adventures & mishaps.

I read another Hardy classic, Far From the Madding Crowd, several years ago and enjoyed it immensely. For the life of me I can't remember any of the story in that novel except that the central character was rather strange, but a few pages of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" instantly resurrected my memories of Hardy's unmatched power of narration. He truly brings every scene and character to full animation and vitality, does the poignant scenes full justice, and even handles humorous situations with aplomb.

Easily five stars, one of the best classics I've ever read. Just don't read the introduction!

I had read Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd many many years ago for school and it left me cold. I was young. Hardy was wordy. And flashing swords wielded by a soldier in a scarlet tunic hardly left me breathless as it was supposed to have done when the book was published.

So these many years later I decided to give Hardy another chance with Tess and I was not disappointed.

Dull and boring prose has become joyous and unexpected. Staid characters colourful. And plodding plot amazingly poignant. But it has nothing I am sure with Tess as opposed to Madding but rather the distance my life has travelled since reading Madding.

Tess is wonderful book with a contemporary message about actions, decisions, and reputation. He paints Tess in a sympathetic light but leaves room for us to doubt that this is entirely the world acting upon her. It may even be read as a cautionary tale of chosing duty over our own happiness, or even others importunity over our own intuition.

It was contemplative for these many years later I could feel Tess's anger and frustration and finally acceptance of a life she did not want while ever so briefly tasting the life she knew she deserved.

I have to say the ending surprised and disappointed me. Rather like a Kafka novel it seems that Hardy just wanted to wind things up rather than finish them. In fact it rather seems to me that he may have tried different endings and for some particular reason preferred this one over the rest. Or maybe because I believe that like Tess she deserved a break I was disappointed when it was short and fleeting. If I read his afterword correctly it seems that I was not alone in my sentiments about his ending as he defends his sympathies and his predilections in it.

It is obvious that my first experience with Hardy came at an age when not enough water had flowed under my bridge. Thankfully I gave him another try.

Tess is simply brilliant.

An oldie but a goodie. Everything in this book was so uplifting. Wonderful daily reminders. Lots of suggestions to improve your life. I love that scriptures are quoted. Who knew the Bible book of Job first spoke of the law of attraction! Interesting stories of healing and the mind/body connection. Must have been quite controversial back when it was first published.
Don't be put off by those who say it's religious. I am not religious at all but rather I say I'm spiritual. I will reference this book often.

I found myself a bit distracted by the lack of specific references as to who the annecdotes were about. A lot of "a certain high ranking executive in an important industry, in a major US city..." These days we expect to be told which executive in which industry and and which in which city. Maybe we have all gotten a bit more skeptical about sources in the Internet age.
But that quibble asside, I have been making a concious effort to put Dr. Peale's ideas into practice, and found them very helpful. In another 50 years the presentation will seem more dated yet, but I am sure the ideas will be no less important. I am glad I bought the book.
As as has been noted in many other reviews, this book is about living a rich, full, happy life in a Christian framework. If that's not what you are looking for, keep looking!

This was a gift from my parents. Such a great book and very helpful with life's issues. Definitely a book that can be read multiple times when needed.

I was looking for a read that would inspire and propel me forward at a time when my life was somewhat less than 'light and breezy'. I learned that Norman Vincent Peale was the seed for many of the current popular self-reflection books and decided to start with "The Power of Positive Thinking". I am not disappointed in my selection of this book but it is certainly not a quick read or a page turner. I find that I must put the book down and reflect on the message which is uplifting and reassuring ... just what I needed. I have actually passed the book onto a friend for that very reason.

This is a cute little book that we keep in the bedroom and just flip through every once in a while! It has some really nice "food for thought" in it. Quick motivation

I ordered this book for my sister who was struggling with an online college English course. She could not understand Shakespeare and was really having a hard time. I found this book on Amazon and had it sent to her. She not only understands Shakespeare now, she actually enjoys it! The original writing is on one side of the page, and the plain English version is right beside it. Wonderful!! I have no doubt my sister will now make an A in her class as well as become a fan of Shakespeare!

Let me begin by saying that Hamlet is truly an amazing play. By far, my favorite drama, Shakespearian or otherwise. Telling the story of a man searching for the light amid mind-boggling darkness, Hamlet reveals more about the conflicts people face in their own lifetimes than any other piece of literature.

This edition includes an introduction about the life of Shakespeare, including a completed works list, and even some words of his own creation. After the unabridged play, several very noteworthy critical reviews reveal more and more about Hamlet than any other comparable binding. At the price and information contained within in its pages, you simply cannot find a better edition of this awe-inspiring drama.

As a college student who had to write a paper on Hamlet,Again,I of course had to get away from any classic ideas about the play. Being a student with a talent for writing I would never be able to "get away with," these common theories, as professor's expect much more. This book really helped me to create a rather ambitious and interesting thesis; one which went against the criticisms in the book, and was refreshingly new.

I like the individual criticisms in this book as they really force you to look harder for textual evidence. One of the BEST things about the book was that it included the whole play as well. That was so useful because I didn't have to juggle two books -one of them being the complete works of Shakespeare which weighs about 20lbs. I was able to take this book everywhere and work on it whenever I had spare time.

However, I would not sugesst this book for an individual who does not have a very strong background in Hamlet. You need to know the play Extremely well in order for this book to benefit you. If you do not know Hamlet inside and out, then this book will only cause confusion and you should probably stay away from it, as the theories may be difficult to comprehend.

I'm not ashamed to admit it. I find Shakespeare difficult. I need help. The Cambridge School Shakespeare editions, with the classroom activities and assignments on each facing page, give me the focus and direction I need to finally truly enjoy the text.

I thought I didn't like Shakespeare until I took a class on several of the plays. It turns out that I love Shakespeare when I'm doing close reading or studying it carefully but for whatever reason I find it extremely difficult to do on my own. The Cambridge School editions allow me to replicate the classroom experience on my own, providing enough background and questions for critical thought that I keep a close focus on the text. Previous times I've attempted to read 'Hamlet' I was struggling just to figure out what was going on; reading this edition I was analyzing the characters and considering different acting and directing choices. It's amazing.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING CHIEFLY PERTAINS TO THE NEW FOLGER LIBRARY EDITION.

William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is arguably the most famous play ever written in the English language; it presents the world with questions and characters that have been the subject of thespian and scholarly debate ever since the Prince of Denmark's first appearance on the stage of London's Globe Theatre. Probably written and first performed in 1601 (estimates vary between 1600 and 1602), the play draws on Saxo Grammaticus's late 12th/early 13th century chronicle "Gesta Danorum," which includes a popular legend with a similar plot centering around a prince named Amleth; as well as several more contemporaneous sources, primarily Francois de Belleforest's "Histoires Tragiques, Extraicts des Oeuvres Italiennes de Bandel" (1559-1580), which expands on the story told in the "Gesta Danorum," and a lost play known as the "Ur-Hamlet" (i.e., original "Hamlet"), sometimes also attributed to Shakespeare, but equally likely written by a different author a few decades earlier. Another work frequently cited in this context is 16th century playwright Thomas Kyd's "Spanish Tragedie."

Pursuant to Shakespeare's wishes and like all of his works, "Hamlet" was not immediately published, and the original manuscript did not survive. However, in the absence of copyright laws or other forms of protection of what today would be called the playwright's intellectual property rights, first bootleg copies (so-called quartos) based on transcripts made during or after performances began to appear in 1603. Yet, it would not be until 1623 - seven years after Shakespeare's 1616 death - that his former fellow actors John Hemmings and Henry Condell published 36 of his plays (including this one) in a collection known as the First Folio.

As no print version of any of Shakespeare's plays has a bona fide claim to its author's first-hand blessings, ever since the Bard's death the world is left with numerous questions about his characters' motivations and psychological makeup; first and foremost, in this particular case: who is this Prince of Denmark anyway, and what's driving him - is he a reluctant suicide or reluctant avenger? A Renaissance man? Wrecked by Freudian guilt? Genuinely mad, or merely putting on a clever act of deception? Or is he someone else entirely? - Indeed, we're even left in doubt as to what exactly it was that Shakespeare meant his characters to say, with all attendant interpretative consequences: Does the Prince wish for his "too too sullied" or his "too too solid" flesh to "melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew" in his first major soliloquy (Act I, Scene 2)? Does he really contemplate "the stamp of [that] one defect" which may fatally taint the perception of a man's other virtues, "be they as pure as grace," before meeting his father's ghost (I, 4)? Does Polonius, when sending Reynaldo on a spying mission after Laertes, refer to his scheme as "a fetch of wit" or "a fetch of warrant" (II, 1)? Do Hamlet's musings in "To be, or not to be" (III, 1) concern "enterprises of great pith and moment" or "of great pitch and moment," whose "currents turn awry and lose the name of action" by his doubts? Does or doesn't the sight of the Norwegian army while Hamlet is on his way to England (IV, 4) prompt him, who has so far failed to carry out his purpose, to reflect "How all occasions do inform against me," and conclude his soliloquy with the vow "from this time forth my thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth"?

How you answer any of these questions, and how you consequently view the play's characters, depends in no small part on the text you read. Like all Folger Shakespeare editions, this one is based on what the editors have deemed the "best early printed version," while allowing the reader a unique direct comparison of the principal reliable versions by including a text essentially combining these versions, with unobtrusive markers characterizing those passages appearing only in one particular version. For "Hamlet," the editors eschewed the play's very first (1603) quarto, which was possibly compiled by a journeyman actor and whose inconsistencies with all subsequent versions (textually as well as plot-wise and even regarding character names) have caused it to be generally considered a "bad" quarto, in favor of the 1604 Second Quarto, which some even believe to be based on Shakespeare's own first draft of the play and which, in any event, while more extensive than the 1623 First Folio (in turn, thought to be closest to the version(s) actually produced on the Globe Theatre stage), boasts about as secure a claim of authenticity as the latter. In some instances, the text follows the Second Quarto (Q2) without visually alerting the reader to the differences vis-a-vis the First Folio (F1), thus compelling those more used to the latter version to seek out the extensive end notes to reassure themselves that (in the examples given above) it might indeed be "solid flesh," "warrant," and "pith and moment" (F1) instead of "sullied flesh," "wit," and "pitch and moment" (Q2). In other instances, however, the First Folio's language (clearly marked as such) is given preference over that of the Second Quarto; while crucially, the text also includes all those passages *only* contained in the latter, including the "stamp of one defect" and "bloody thoughts" monologues, whose interpretation has such a direct bearing on many a reader's understanding of Hamlet's character.

The text is amplified by illustrations and annotations for those unfamiliar with 16th century English, scene-by-scene plot summaries, a short biography of Shakespeare, and introductory and concluding essays on this and the Bard's other plays and on Shakespearean theatre, as well as extensive suggestions for further reading, and a key to the play's most famous lines. While it is unlikely that after 400 years of debate any one version, be it in print, on stage or on screen, will be able to generate unanimous acceptance as the "definitive" rendition of this complex play, this is an excellent starting point for an in-depth excursion into the Prince of Denmark's world.

Also recommended:
The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
BBC Shakespeare Tragedies DVD Giftbox
Olivier's Shakespeare - Criterion Collection (Hamlet / Henry V / Richard III)
William Shakespeare's Hamlet (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Grigori Kozintsev's Hamlet
Hamlet
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead
Peter Brook's King Lear
Richard III
Julius Caesar

I was very disappointed in this book. It is not up to the level of Jodi Piccoult's other novels. The storyline lacked believablity, the writing was poor, some of the characters were either cardboard cutouts or unrealistic (and one in particular was lifted from The Rainman), and the book needed serious editing. After the first 100 pages, I skipped large chunks in a valiant effort to reach the end. If I hadn't already read many of Jodi Picoult's other novels before this one, I would have thought she was a bad author. She didn't do herself justice with this one. She is capable of a lot more.

Another tender novel by a talented writer. She has become one of my favorites. As usual, the ending surprised me. I like Jodi's style of writing, and find her novels easy and enjoyable to read. I've read almost every one of her books, and always look forward to a new book.

This is my first Jodi Picoult book (my library is always out so I had to buy it) and I loved it. I really enjoy books where religion or spirituality is part of the characters lives even though I am not currently affiliated with any religion. I was raised as a Catholic, so many of the ideas were familiar to me, and I appreciated the insights into the Jewish faith. But there was so much more to make this an interesting story: child custody issues and trial lawyers, TV and media aspects, family relations, love and infidelity. I can't wait for my next Picoult book.

Keeping Faith Alive Isn't Always Easy...

For this Sunday's Salon post, I am going to share the book that I just finished (it's actually 11:30pm on Saturday night... but what's a couple of hours?). I've been reading this book since Wednesday of this week, again on my comfy patio in the evenings while the kids are asleep. Thank goodness that school's back in and they are going to bed by 9:30pm. In any event, let me share about my read this week.

This is a beautiful story... let's just start with that. Jodi Picoult writes a #1 New York Times Bestseller, Keeping Faith, about a young girl, Faith, who comes to be in direct communication with God after her parents sudden divorce. I am guessing from the fact that I picked it up in paperback, and it's been a best-seller, that many of you have read this book by now. But, my daughter picked it out for me in Costco. At $4.99, I had to say "yes."

Ultimately, this is a story about a custody battle over Faith between Mariah and Colin. Mariah, Faith's Mom, is a woman who is commences the story as an emotionally fragile woman. We watch Mariah's strength, determination and fierce protection of her daughter grow through this novel all the way until the end. You can't help to root for her and you definitely grow to hate her enemies. Millie, Mariah's Mother, is my favorite character in this book and is literally resurrected by Faith after being pronounced dead for an hour. She's just that kind of mother that we all wish we had and all would love. My least favorite character of the novel? Well, it's definitely a tie between Colin, Faith's Father (a cheater-cheater, pumpkin eater... in their own home, nonetheless), and Mr. Metz, his ridiculous attorney. I despise them both.... which is a good thing. Because if I can feel emotion while reading a book, it's got me involved. And, Keeping Faith kept me there.

The main thread throughout the story is that Faith not only sees and communicates with God, but she is also a healer. When she is in the presence of, or touches, another person who is ill, they are healed to some degree. This, of course, gains national media attention, Rabbis, Catholic Priests, groupies, and those in need of healing. They hover and live outside Mariah & Faith's house and Colin discovers his daughter's plight via a television broadcast. Of course, by then he's married the tramp who he cheated on his wife with and is now carrying his child (wedding in Vegas). Being the "man" that he is, he thinks he can take better care of Faith and protect her more than her mother. This ensues the custody battle, Mariah & Faith's flight to Kansas City, and subsequent medical and legal issues.

For my taste, there were some parts of the novel that I feel could have moved in a bit of a faster pace. These would be the times in Kansas City and when Faith is re-hospitalized for another stigmata. In addition, I felt quite a bit of the story line was predictable (Colin's cheating at the house and Mariah falling for Ian). I really enjoyed watching Mariah and Ian fall for each other. I also was glad to see the turn-around in Kenzie (the legal guardian at lit-em during the battle). Joan, the attorney, was a like-able character, as well. Overall, I found this to be an excellent book.


Jodi Picoult
Observation: Poor Mariah, every time that woman takes a shower, something happens to Faith. It's a wonder that she ever bathes again!

Favorite Quote of the Book is by Ian when speaking to the press after the much publicized trial is over:

"For years I've made a name for myself condemning God, and the people who believe in God. Trying to win people over to my side. I know y'all are waiting to hear what I have to say about Faith White, and you're going to be disappointed. I told the truth to Mr. Metz on the witness stand-nothing happened in Kansas City. I'm not going to say whether that girl's got God in her back pocket. I'm going to say that it isn't my business, and it isn't your business.

Quite a kick, isn't it? That after building a whole bankable empire on atheism, I'd tell you religious beliefs area private affair? And I can see it right now, you shakin' your heads, saying that reports can damn well make anything their business - but, it's not so. There's a difference between a fact and an opinion; any newsman knows that. And religion, for all that it's provocative, isn't about only what people believe in-it's also about the simple act of believing. Just like I have a right to walk out here and say God is a farce, Faith White has a right to should out her bedroom window that God is alive and well. My opinion, versus her opinion. But nowhere in that tangle is there a pure, hard fact.

So who's right? The answer is... I don't know. And I shouldn't care. My mama used to tell me you can't change the way someone thinks about God or their politics, although I've certainly given both a run for my money. But, you know, I might wind up living next door to the pope one day. Or down the road from Faith. Or in the hotel room beside the Dalai Lama's. And going from door to door trying to convince them I'm the one who's right is going to be a waste of time. No, correction: It hasbeen a waste of time. We don't have to accept each other's beliefs... but we do have to accept each other's right to believe them."

So, on the A Novel Menagerie's "Out of Ten Scale," I'd give this one an 8.75... nearly a 9.

I was going to buy this book, but after reading the reviews I have lost interest. God people are you really readers? No one wants to know what's in the book before they buy it. You guys review the book by telling most of the story.

I suspect that White Fang is really a disguised tale about Jack London's inner emotional life, and particularly his childhood. I don't know too much about London, so this is only speculation, and his biography would probably give better clues, though so often biographers idealize their subjects' childhoods - and gloss over the more painful emotional dynamics.

So the dynamics I sensed, and you may know better than I how they parallel Jack London's life: White Fang (= Jack London), abused and neglected as a puppy (= Little Jack), born outside any conventionally accepting community, somewhat loved and then abandoned by his mostly-wolf mother, fully abandoned by his wolf father after his birth because of mother's behavior, raised in isolation, treated consistently cruelly by the world and became tough as nails and aloof and independent to defend himself against this cruelty (= London splitting off emotionally to keep his identity and inner strength), never unconditionally loved by anyone so he became a frustrated and angry creature, but kept his sense of himself somehow, and fought for what he believed in.

Passed around from owner to owner, treated progressively worse by each (adults and society massively failed London again and again), and used him for their sick purposes, to the point of nearly killing him, until one man finally rescues him and loves him and nurses him back to health - and teaches him the meaning of love. White Fang is then redeemed, and ultimately becomes a beloved member of a family, a hero, and a loving father of puppies of his own.

I suspected this last part of the book was Jack London's hidden fantasy for how he wanted his own life to turn out - to finally become non-emotionally isolated, loved and accepted by a family system, and essentially "normal." Didn't he instead die in his early forties, a miserable, lost and embittered alcoholic?

This a great book to read because I remember reading it as a kid. I liked the book so much that I read it twice. There was also a dog that I used to have that kind of looked like the main character, but he was a huskey. Also, I would recommend this book to anyone.

I picked up this book in the 6th grade for an English class assignment. I didn't even finish it the first time I tried to go through it. I was bored with it as I usually am with books I am made to read. However, a year or two later I was back at the challenge. I feel guilty about leaving books unfinished, and since wolves are by far my favorite animal I needed to give this book another shot. Since then I've read this book about 6 times and can tell you all about the events and characters, the struggles, and the ending. It's become my favorite book with no close rivals, as Jack London has become my favorite author. It's excellently written, descriptive, with a wonderful story of the hardships and trials of one wolf-dog's life in the far North.

White Fang is a pup born a hybrid, part wolf and part dog. The other dogs, therefore, are not big fans of his. He ends up a tough super-dog as a result, and as such, attracts the attention of dog fighters, and keeps winning until he is rescused from a fight.

He ends up helping out his new owners, and getting to relax and enjoy his golden years.

I read about half this book put it down and didn't want to finish it so I didn't. It is the most boring book in the world.

When I started reading Oliver Twist, it was an assignment for school and nothing more. However, I was soon intrigued by little Oliver, a quiet, naturally pleasant little boy, and who is apparently a magnet for bad company and lives in a workhouse. I wondered how he could remain so sweet and childish through all he'd been through.

Dickens kept me turning the pages with cliffhangers and anticipation. It's witty and it has hilarious moments concerning the band of thieves. Master Charley Bates' laughter is infectious even from the pages of the book, The Artful Dodger's proposed `genteelman behavior' is amusing, and Fagin's witty remarks always manage to entice a chuckle from me and my dad as we read it together.

The only thing that irritated me was that Dickens leaned a little too far to the left and the right , and didn't have any middle ground. Oliver Twist is a perfect boy. He does nothing wrong. Ever. Not once. I don't think it portrays people with a sense of morality well enough, because even those people are not perfect(coughRosecough). However, the way the little robber gang is written represents the underside of human nature very well.

Dickens' sense of description was astounding. It really made everything come to life, from the dirty, disgusting streets of London to the beautiful country lane. It gave me a vivid and detailed picture in my head.

All in all, Oliver Twist is an excellent book.The story was very well put together, and he leaves no loose ends to be tied up. There are dull moments in the book, but Dickens brings us back with a sudden twist at the end of a chapter that will leave us at the edge of our seats, begging "Please sir, more?"

Charles Dicken's classic tale of Oliver Twist and the people he comes across is a definite must-read. The poor orphan is one of the most memorable protagonists in English literature. The supporting cast is something worth mentioning, also. The distinctive portrayals of Master Bates, the artful Dodger, Fagin (who is sadly a Jewish caricature), and Bill Sykes make this novel a page-turner.

Much of the satire in this story involves the 19th-century English social class, political upheaval, and daily life in the slums of London. And they work so well here.

A-

Originally published in a serialized format, OLIVER TWIST represents some of Charles Dickens very first writings. It is easy to imagine his first readers eagerly (and impatiently) awaiting the next installment of little Oliver's saga. Evocative of so much compassion, this powerful tale has reached the hearts of readers for over 150 years, and is every bit as powerful now as it was originally. Both its message of personal triumph despite overwhelming odds, and its broader admonishment for us all to look more closely at the plight of the destitute and homeless, speak powerfully to every reader.

This book gives you a very disturbing glimpse into life in England during the early 1800s (or at least Dickens' view of that life). Dark, cold, dangerous, and filthy are some adjectives that are nearly always at the fore when reading OLIVER TWIST, as Dickens employs his unparalleled talent for bringing his settings to life with words. The worst in human attributes are also on prominent display in this work, with Bumble, Fagin, and Sikes being the epitome cowardliness, cruelty, and brutality, respectively. Rather uncomfortably, this book also highlights the all-too-common failures of society in general. While we may have come a long way since the time of Dickens, there remains much that we would rather not have to face about our own culture. Abuse and neglect of innocent children has not altogether faded away, but maintains its evil hold on parts of society.

Not to make you think that this book is all about the negatives of humanity. It is also a tale of triumph over evil, goodness coming from love and compassion, and innocence being preserved. Oliver's friends in the second half of the book represent all the best things about humankind and turn this tale into an essentially happy one. That being said, I actually liked the first half of the book (prior to the failed house-breaking attempt) better than the second, primarily because from that point on, while events occur at an increased rate, they are essentially taken out of Oliver's hands.

This is a great book, highly enjoyable, humorous, and evocative of powerful emotion. The famous wit of Charles Dickens is in full display here, with puns (Master Bates), sarcasm, and all manner of plays on words and phrasings, being found throughout. It is also a good example of Dickens' penchant for overly verbose writing. Sentences that simply HAVE to be run-ons are found in nearly every paragraph, to the point where you forget the subject of interest as you get lost in flowing descriptive writing (was that a run-on?). For that reason only, I'd suggest this book for more experienced readers looking to sit down and enjoy one of my favorite classics.

When I had to read this book in my adolescent years, it was literary torture. Today, reading with 25 more years of life behind me and greater appreciation for literary art, it's a great story. I never would have picked this story back up had it not been for the review/referral from a friend. In retrospect, I'm not really certain this story is best read, comprehended and appreciated by an adolescent. The story, and the seedy sides of life exposed, might be better processed by an adult.

In addition to the story woven by Dickens, I think what I appreciated most about this writing was how Dickens used the novel as a commentary on life in England at the time of the writing, e.g., society's treatment of the paupers and impoverished, the caste system that existed and condemned a pauper child to destitution at birth, and the judicial system with its corruption and brutality, to name a few. Even as a mature adult reader I winced at how Oliver and the young paupers were brutally treated by "the system" in the first half of the book.

I loved how in the end all the characters, excepting Nancy, received their just rewards and ends in accordance with how they had lived life. The only mild criticism I have was the almost too remarkable coincidence of the relationships of Oliver, Brownlow, Rose and Monks, and how life had brought them together prior even to the discovery of the existence of their relationships and ties from the prior generation. Nevertheless, it's a feel-good ending and the story kept me turning the pages with anticipation.

What is it about Oliver Twist that keeps people coming back to it so often and for so long? Oliver Twist is actually one of my favourite all-time reads. I try to read it once every few years, and every time I decide to re-read it, I go in search of a copy that I don't already own because it's fascinating the different publishers, typefaces, bindings etc, that this book has gone through. Maybe I'm like Mel Gibson from Conspiracy Theory, collecting all those The Catcher in the Rye copies, but at least I'm reading them. Mel was just trying to save the human race ... or something like that. Poor fool.

A few years ago, I thought that I had run my course with the young Rascal and had actually come away feeling pretty badly about the development of the ending of the story, which, in my honest opinion, is not as strong as the beginning or the arc of Mr. Brownlow. But Dickens was writing in a time when books were not as prevalent and Twist, as we all may know, was a Newspaper column that had developed into a bound and published work due to its popularity. Standards have changed and agents and publishers are more discriminating. But in no way should anyone let that stop them from the experience of reading Oliver Twist as it really is a masterpiece before its time.

Recently though, watching MSNBC (a new hangout for me, I admit), I saw a documentary regarding the global sex trade of young woman forced into boarding, shipped around, mistreated, taken advantage of, stolen, uprooted, you name it ... and my mind wandered to a comparison of Young Oliver and the Ageing and scheming Fagin. In the lives of the girls they covered, there always seemed to be the `Artful Dodger' character who would start off as the mentor, but meet a bad end eventually, and the `Fagin', who controlled the roost and kept the girls feeling dejected and trapped, thus benefiting monetarily from their toils and of course the 'Sykes', who was the one who met head-first with the law. I felt incredibly bad for those girls and disgusted about the habits of some of my fellow "men".

It really is a shame that in 150 years, this year, Dickens moralist tale of child abuse is still just as prevalent, just as relevant and unfortunately just as insidious and heart-breaking as it was on the cold night that he penned the first article.

Jude the Obscure is easily one of the best-written stories I have read in a long time. You will probably think Jude and Sue are so weird they are from another planet. In a way, you are right.

It may help you understand it a bit better if you think of it this way:
Jude has Asperger's syndrome. Sue is a "Highly Sensitive Person" (HSP).

On top of these problems, Jude is a young boy ready to have sex but not mature enough to be married and have responsibilities. His cousin Sue is a young girl ready to "be loved" but unready to have sex.

Life repeatedly rushes Jude and Sue into the very things they are unprepared for and things get VERY bad quickly. The author, who obviously has baggage, is trying to make a case against marriage.

I found myself caring for these characters, even though I knew that the story could not possibly end well. I found myself vomiting when the murder takes place.

Do not read this book unless you are willing to have your traditional values unseated very painfully.

- ever, ever, ever, ever, ever! I have never felt this intensity of pure love for a person who I'm told is fictional? He stares out at you, so real you could touch the stubble on his chin. You'll take each loss so personally, and feel each disappointment with such ferocious, physical pangs! Oh, his poor judgment. His bad, impetuous, foolish choices (like mine!), hard knox, followed hard upon by brittle, fleeting true love.

The details of the characters make this book great. I loved reading about Jude's struggle to learn Latin. I loved his whimsical sympathy for the hungry rooks. I loved his simultaneous attraction/revulsion for Arabella. I loved the description of her slaughtering the pig, and then later her removing her hairpiece. I loved Jude's tribulations as a mason in the great Cathedral. I loved the complexity of his feelings for Sue. I loved his defiance and obstinacy in the face of death. Oh, he was so brave and stupid and romantic and deluded and smart and thwarted and alone. Read it for Jude!

Jude Fawley, is an orphan trapped in poverty and a narrow working class paradigm, but in spite of these limitations, he dreams of a scholarly life in the university town of Christminster.
Jude is smitten by Arabella, who tricks him into marrying her. After a short time Arabella leaves Jude to go to Australia. Shortly after Arabella leaves him, Jude moves to Christminster to pursue his dreams.
While in Christminster he meets his cousin Sue. Jude had fallen in love with Sue when he first saw her picture. Now he is in Christminster where he can pursue his dreams of becoming a scholar and meeting Sue. The conversations between Sue and Jude, despite their differences, bring them closer together and they quickly become friends. Sue deflates Jude's dream when she marries the schoolmaster (the same man at the beginning of the book, who had promised Jude some books but never fulfilled his promise).
Even after Arabella comes back into the picture, Sue and Jude get divorced from their respective spouses and live together without marriage. In the years that follow, because the couple is not married, they face a lot of difficulties and become social outcasts. In spite of their difficulties, they still love each other and the family they are raising together. An extremely tragic event shatters the family. The consuming guilt, brought on by the tragic event, leads Sue and Jude back to their former hated lives.

It was a desperate try on Sue's part to say no to customs she didn't believe in, and a desperate try on Jude's part to live the peaceful life he wanted with the woman he loved, but just as life didn't grant him his dream of an education, Society denied him acceptance of the relationship he wanted with Sue. The shocking end was Hardy's way to convey his thoughts on love, sex and the institution of marriage, at a time when talking about love, sex, and criticizing the marriage constitution was taboo.

Hardy was criticized for creating complex, overtly sexual characters like Sue and Jude who would act against established norms of marital and sexual behaviors. Sue, recognized her intellect but still used marriage as a way of having the career she wanted, She could not force herself to be attracted to her older husband, who was understanding and gave her a divorce, after which she was free to pursue Jude. Jude loved Sue deeply, but knowing that she was married, he still slept with Arabella, when she came back, because she was still his legal wife.

Reading the entire 500 plus pages of Jude the Obscure was totally draining. The emotional torment that Jude experienced throughout his life left me depleted. Each and every person in Jude's life played a little role in aborting his dreams of happiness: the schoolmaster who didn't pay attention to a promising ambitious little boy, Arabella who was a totally self absorbed narcissistic woman, whose character along with Jude's character is clearly revealed during the pig killing ritual, Sue who truly loved Jude, but her love was a selfish love that was centered around her own demons of guilt and doubts. Even Jude's older son, was another extension to Jude's obscurity.

In the end Jude became completely obscure to the people for whom he cared. I don't think Hardy himself totally understands the canvas he has painted and perhaps that is the reason Hardy turned to poem after Jude and wrote no other novels. It wasn't the controversy that took place in Great Britain and the United States over the scandalous nature of the book, which led him away from novels to poetry. But rather Hardy left part of his heart in Jude and was unable to retrieve it.

Jude's life is short and miserable. His aspiration of becoming a scholar is thwarted when he is trapped into marriage by Arabella. But even without Arabella's manipulations, he is trapped in time, born many years too soon for the reality, instead of only the dream, that someone of a working class background can attend an institution of higher learning.

He remains a stonemason and eventually unites with Sue Bridehead, not in a legal marriage, but one of heart and mind. Jude is ahead of his time, again, for this type of union to be socially accepted. Their rejection of a marriage contract turn them in social outcasts and their hardships culminate into a horrific event that affects Sue profoundly and causes the separation between her and Jude.

For me, Sue is the character who leaves the most lasting impression in Jude the Obscure, even though