"Tess of the D'Urbervilles" | Book Club Meeting

Our latest book club meeting took us to the beautiful grounds of Schönbrunn, followed by a cosy gathering at Café Gerstner. This time, we delved into Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles - and what a discussion it turned out to be!

From the very start, it was clear that Hardy’s work stirred up strong feelings. Our members brought a wide range of interpretations and reactions to the table, which made for a truly dynamic conversation. While we didn’t always see eye to eye, we agreed to disagree—and had quite a bit of fun doing so. Opinions clashed as we explored Hardy’s portrayal of Tess, the novel’s moral undertones, and its treatment of fate and injustice. As always, the evening ended with lots of laughter and good cheer.

We also chose our next read: The Secret History by Donna Tartt. We’re looking forward to diving into a modern classic with a very different kind of mystery and intensity.

Until next time!