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Jude the Obscure

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Jude the Obscure

By: Thomas Hardy
Narrated by: Samuel West
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About this listen

Penguin Classics presents Thomas Hardy's Jude the Obscure, adapted for audio and available as a digital download as part of the Penguin English Library series. Read by Samuel West.

'As you got older, ... you were seized with a sort of shuddering, he perceived. All around you there seemed to be something glaring, garish, rattling, and the noises and glares hit upon the little cell called your life, and shook it, and scorched it.

If he could only prevent himself growing up! He did not want to be a man'

Jude Fawley, the stonemason excluded not by his wits but by poverty from the world of Christminster privilege, finds fulfilment in his relationship with Sue Bridehead. Both have left earlier marriages. Ironically, when tragedy tests their union it is Sue, the modern emancipated woman, who proves unequal to the challenge. Hardy's fearless exploration of sexual and social relationships and his prophetic critique of marriage scandalised the late Victorian establishment and marked the end of his career as a novelist.

Part of a series of vintage recordings taken from the Penguin Archives. Affordable, collectable, quality productions - perfect for on-the-go listening.

 Classics Linguistics Social Sciences Marriage
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In Jude the Obscure , we realise how far things have come in terms of social mores , and how difficult life could be.

Thought provoking and a sad indictment of the times

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There is no happiness in this tale, bleak with no hope. Love, betrayal, lies and stupidity.

Jude the Obscure

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Samuel West reads the tragedy with calm fluency. The novel itself is captivating as it captures the everyday living of Jude's tragic life.

A reading worthy of Hardy's gravitas

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This isn't my favourite Thomas Hardy story but Samuel West makes it come alive. this audio book is abridged but the heart of the book is intact.

Samuel West made for Hardy

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Phenomenal story & narration! However, the Abridgement doesn’t do the book justice. Get the full audiobook instead. You’ll do yourself a favor.

One of my favorites

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