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Hardy: The Mayor of Casterbridge

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Hardy: The Mayor of Casterbridge

By: Thomas Hardy
Narrated by: Anton Lesser
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About this listen

Michael Henchard, drunk at a country fair, sells his wife and baby daughter for five guineas. The following day, in despair and remorse, he forswears alcohol and sets out to redeem himself. In time, he becomes a respected merchant and eventually the mayor of the town. But Fate is not to be so easily appeased, and Henchard finds his past actions resonate through and destroy his plans for the future.

One of the greatest novels in the English language, The Mayor of Casterbridge sees Thomas Hardy at his best, bringing landscape and richly imagined characters to life, and setting the hope of love against the forces of Providence.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2010 Naxos Audiobook Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant
A great listen and one of my favourite Hardy novels. Atmosphere expertly captured by Anton Lesser's reading.

A Really Good Listen

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Obviously the story is good but it's the narration that is the real stand-out feature of this excellent audio book.

A Classic

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I've always loved Hardy's work, and Anton Lesser narrated it to perfection! I highly recommend this version of the audiobook!

Amazing book, masterfully narrated!

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This was a very pleasant surprise. I have never read Hardy and was expecting a stodgy Victorian sermon. What I got was a powerful, at times overwhelming book. The character of Henchard must be one of the strongest in literature and his fall, rise and fall again is related in a fast moving and sometimes very modern way. The narration of Anton Lesser is as always superb and add's greatly to the enjoyment of this great book. Highly recommended and I will be keen to try more Thomas Hardy.

The Mayor of Casterbridge

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Anton Lesser managed to navigate Hardy’s arching sentences without ever losing the sense or the forward motion. I was gripped.

A Masterclass in Audiobook narration

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