Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy

 

6/10

I really wanted to love this book and I tried and convinced myself for a very long time to love it. But by the end there was no denying that this one is just flat out average. I think the first part of this book introducing Jude and his hopes and dreams, including his eventual unplanned marriage and separation, is the best part of the book. Unfortunately, not a whole lot transpires after he moves to Christminster where he always dreamed of living. His initial efforts there are interesting, but once he meets his cousin and love interest, Sue, it is all downhill from there. The book is pretty much one big long and harsh commentary about the institution of marriage. I still liked Hardy's writing which, along with the enjoyable first part of the story mentioned above, was enough to get this one a 6/10.

Thomas Hardy books I've read, ranked:

1. Tess of the D'Urbervilles
2. The Return of the Native
3. The Woodlanders
4. Jude the Obscure