Experiencing "Tess of the D' Urbervilles" : : (Value Inquiry Book S.)

This book interprets Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles with the openness toward experience recommended by John Dewey’s Art as Experience. The characters of Tess are considered as real people with sexual bodies and complex minds. Efron identifies the “experience blockers” that the critical tradition has stumbled upon, and defends Hardy’s involvement in telling his story. Efron offers a new way of evaluating literature inspired by Dewey’s pragmatist aesthetics.

"often interesting reading and sometimes rewarding reading. ... there is too, the humane clarity with which this book is written" -- English Literature in Transition 48: 3 2005

a fresh, intensely personal reading of Thomas Hardy’s Tess. carefully wrought interpretations. -- Book News – February 2005

an engaging, direct and honest exploration of Hardy’s novel. This book will delight, intrigue, challenge and infuriate in equal measure -- The Hardy Society Journal, Volume 1, Number 2, June 2005

one is guaranteed a refreshing and often enlightening re-visitation of a much-loved tale. -- The Hardy Society Journal, Volume 1, Number 2, June 2005