It was the only work of fiction that I was glad that it was a work of fiction. It was also the only book that I read that I had to stop in between to take a walk to clear my mind and settle down to return reading. I know there is a lot of talk about making this book into a movie or streaming series, but please don't. I would rather preserve my own version of Jude and his friends and family. And the horrors of his scars both emotional and physical. This is a book that will make Thomas Hardy's book read like a Disney fairytale. What a ride. I'd give it 10 stars.