Classics · Literary
Jude the Obscure
Jude Fawley, a poor stonemason, dreams of studying at the university in Christminster. His hopes are thwarted by class barriers and by his tangled relationships with Arabella and his cousin Sue Bridehead.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1895
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 534
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you appreciate bleak Victorian tragedy that criticises class and marriage.
Skip this if you want a hopeful ending or are sensitive to the death of children.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about Jude the Obscure
- What is Jude the Obscure about?
- Jude Fawley, a poor stonemason, dreams of studying at the university in Christminster. His hopes are thwarted by class barriers and by his tangled relationships with Arabella and his cousin Sue Bridehead.
- Who should read Jude the Obscure?
- Read it if you appreciate bleak Victorian tragedy that criticises class and marriage. Skip it if you want a hopeful ending or are sensitive to the death of children.
- How long and how fast is Jude the Obscure?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 534 pages, first published in 1895.
- Does Jude the Obscure have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Suicide, Child death, Death.
- Can I borrow Jude the Obscure for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Jude the Obscure; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
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| Ebook | ||
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| Audiobook | ||
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