Jude the Obscure

SeoulChild · Post by **SeoulChild** » 31 May 2008, 17:35

Which I am reading right now, and while I'm not familiar with some of Hardy's historical references, I am liking it so far (half way through)!

Has anyone else read it?

Thoughts?

saracen77 · Post by **saracen77** » 07 Jun 2008, 13:27

I read it quite a few years ago, when I was at school.

I found that book so sad, especially the treatment of the children. Some of the imagery is quite graphic as well.

It was a very emotional read.

Must go back and re-read it one day.

bookmadgirlie · Post by **bookmadgirlie** » 18 Jun 2008, 06:43

SeoulChild wrote:Which I am reading right now, and while I'm not familiar with some of Hardy's historical references, I am liking it so far (half way through)!

Has anyone else read it?

Thoughts?

what happens in it as I have not even heard of it?

SeoulChild · Post by **SeoulChild** » 18 Jun 2008, 17:21

I'm not quite sure that saracen is talking about the same book, but I may be mistaken lol?

It is kind of hard to explain...it is a classic book, almost a tragedy.

One of those-shocking-in-its-time...y'know

saracen77 · Post by **saracen77** » 19 Jun 2008, 04:17

SeoulChild, I think we have the same book, just the big shocks come later! Keep reading!

Jude is a young man who is unhappy with his life, his job, his wife, everything really.

They live in abject poverty, and some of the most graphic scenes were about the slaughter of a pig. Two inexperienced, and unworldly people trying to get things right, all over a pig.

He meets a cousin of his, Sue, who is also unhappy with her husband and her life, so they take the monumental decision to abandon their spouses and set up together in a place where no one knows that they are a) cousins, and b)not actually married.

They move on, and have children together, as well as an adopted older boy join the family. It comes to a head with a heartrending tragedy as the older boy finds the true nature of his unconventional family.

From the book jacket:

Jude Fawley, a stone-mason, has already suffered. His academic ambitions were thwarted by his poverty and class: trapped into a loveless marriage, he is now alone but not free. He comes to love his cousin Sue who, seemingly emancipated, is herself miserably married. Sue's words to Jude are prophetic, for together they defy conventional morality to seize a chance of happiness, they are ultimately defeated by both circumstance and the flaws within their own nature.

Thomas Hardy's last novel is focused on themes of sex and marriage. The tragedy of Jude's struggle for happiness is intensified by the lack of opportunity for the ordinary man to improve his lot, despite the changes and developments of Victorian society.