Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Brilliant books get better with every read, while ever-so lesser works of art start to fade on further inspection. Tess leans to the latter because of how reserved it is, although it's still a brilliantly evocative journey.

Tess tears up your emotions with its profound message, but the stifled expressions between characters are far too censured and inexpressive for repeat-read satisfaction. Characters are unable to show their feelings or true desires due to antiquated social restraints, therefore causing unnecessary pain and suffering for potential lovers who can't release, adapt or adjust.

Imagine a distraught Juliet being forced into marrying Paris while already committed to Romeo, a travesty like that, when women were unable and too terrified to stand up for themselves, which may have been acceptable hundreds of years ago, but not now, with men having too much pride and respect and propriety to think about, making for hard and frustrating reading at times.

Tess rarely allows you to rejoice or be happy, but overly twists, complicates and frustrates everyone's emotions, doing a great job of incarcerating hearts in its vice-like grip by tentatively edging beyond acceptable standards while remaining withdrawn and emotionally bleak.

Not all books can be happy ever after with it all working out in the end, with Tess inflicting so much unnecessary frustration through hangups and inhibitions, at some point you'll be beseeching her to loosen up and let it go to the wind.

Tess is a brilliantly emotional romance and definitely worth your time for its passion, depth and sincerity, but also more frustrating than it should be on deep reflection.