A tragic tracing of a woman's life, whose perceived sins are not her own doing, with a supposed influence on those that view or interact with her, yet rarely a trace of accountability for their wrongdoings. Thomas Hardy has placed his fingers on the beating pulse of societal injustice, revealing his ironies and subconscious toxicity that often scrambles to find a scapegoat. Hardy has sketched a world that feels almost impossible to reason with, forcing sufferers to merely endure. Tess of the D'Urberville speaks just as much of the world as it does of its titular character. While a protagonist in her narrative, never is her autonomy held intact. This is not a story for seeking comfort but rather an exercise for sympathy. Yes, I say sympathy rather than empathy, as though Hardy does efficiently in stretching its hands for our understanding, the laid pathway is not a direct guide on how to overcome such repeated adversities, but rather a lesson on its particular themes. While I am not attempting to extinguish others' eagerness towards this novel, warning of its narrative battery should hopefully tame expectations. This is a story that has inspired me to facilitate conversations with those closest to me and spend ample time for reflection, both have served a betterment of the overall experience.