This is classic Thomas Hardy--a likeable hero allows himself to be ruined by the opposite sex and the hard realities of life written in very descriptive, poetic language of bygone years. Jude, the hero, is a very humane, decent sort of man who although poor, aspires to become educated and enter the priesthood. He is self-taught and disciplined and seems to be well on the way to achieving his goals at the college when he meets a crude pig farmer girl and becomes intimate with her. She tricks him into marriage and immediately they have major problems and part. Jude then sets out for college only to meet his cousin and erstwhile soul mate, Sue. Sue is quite a character, a bizarre mixture of feminist, scholar, teacher, flirt, rebel, and self-absorbed fool. She is on an emotional roller coaster and takes Jude with her. She toys with Jude's affection and that of an older school master, leading them both on although she is repulsed by physical contact. She marries the schoolmaster only to suddenly want Jude back and leaves her husband. She and Jude then begin an unmarried life together and produce children, as well as taking in Jude's son by his wife. Their life is full of problems and ends with a tragedy involving the children. Through it all Jude remains a likeable, moral character of sorts who tries to accept his lot in life and shoulder responsibility, only to be dashed down again and again.
I could not help to like Jude, as I also liked Tess in Hardy's other similar novel. Jude is hurt by his propensity for the wrong women as Tess was hurt by men of low morals. I found myself getting annoyed by his love for selfish Sue and hoping he would get away from her before it was too late.
This is a dark, despairing kind of novel, stark in its realism about human nature and the consequences of wrong choices and going against the norms of society. Yet, it is a good read and is highly recommended.
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