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  • Tess of the D'Urbervilles

  • By: Thomas Hardy
  • Narrated by: Peter Firth
  • Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,251 ratings)
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Tess of the D'Urbervilles cover art

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

By: Thomas Hardy
Narrated by: Peter Firth
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Summary

Exclusively from Audible

When John Durbeyfield discovers a family connection to the ancient Norman family, the D'Urbervilles, the fate of daughter Tess is transformed.

Sent by her ambitious parents to visit her wealthy D'Urberville cousins, Tess attracts the attention of the unscrupulous Alec. Seduced and discarded by him and alone in the world, she finds work as a milkmaid and the love of Angel Clare. Yet his love cannot accept the truth about Tess's past.

Considered Hardy's masterwork it presents a major departure from conventional Victorian fiction, causing controversy and mixed reviews on first publication due to it challenging Victorian sexual morals. The work was subtitled 'A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented' as Hardy felt that its heroine was a virtuous victim of a rigid Victorian moral code.

Hardy considered it his finest book and due to his enlightened and forward thinking, the story has captivated audiences since it was first released.

Thomas Hardy was an English writer and poet in the Romantic era who was greatly influenced by Charles Dickens and William Wordsworth.

Narrator Biography

Having started his career as a leading child actor, Peter Firth received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in Peter Shaffer's play Equus (1973) at only 21. He later starred with Richard Burton in its film adaption earning him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and an Academy Award nomination. His other film work has included roles in Pearl Harbor (2001) and The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005). He is best known for his role as Sir Harry Pearce in the BBC show Spooks (2002-2011) appearing in every episode of the show's 10 series. Recent roles have included Jacob Marley in the BBC's Dickensian series (2015) and Ernest Augustus in ITV's drama series Victoria (2016). He has narrated several audiobooks and starred in Audible's multicast drama Amok.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Tess of the D'Urbervilles

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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing, loved now and no longer hated ☺

Any additional comments?

Many years ago, Tess of the D'Urbervilles was one of my ‘A’ level texts and I HATED it and have spent the intervening year disliking this novel intently. Presented with an audible version I decided to “try again.” The book remains as Hardy wrote it, to me previously Tess was an annoyance, but this time I felt so sorry for her, maybe frustrated and saddened at her choices, but I LOVED this audio version. It is so well read by Peter Firth, I can’t believe how much I missed and how I could have improved my grade if I had this audible version all those years ago. I will listen to another Thomas Hardy audible book and also any read by Peter Firth. I am glad my faith in a classic is restored. Well done Audible ☺

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Highly recommended!

After having read and adored Tess of the D'Urbervilles last year, I thought this audiobook did Hardy's novel justice. HIs rich descriptions of Wessex and his compassionate character portraits are just as alive and vivid in an audiobook format as they were for me when I first read this book.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I've read the book (more than once), I've seen the film, but the story of Tess is always spellbinding, and this audio version is excellent. Peter Firth reads it beautifully; his rustic accents are quite convincing, although he does occasionally lapse into 'Oirish'. Highly recommended.

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful imagery

What made the experience of listening to Tess of the D'Urbervilles the most enjoyable?

I first read Tess many years ago as a teenager and didn't think much of it. Having revisiting through this audiobook I am astounded at how much I missed! This is one of those reads which benefit from a few years of life experience. Wonderfully read, atmospheric and colourful.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Tess of the D'Urbervilles?

The description of milking: a real feast for the senses. Brought the era to life and the imagery is superb.

What does Peter Firth bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Well read and very consistent... Believable voices and accents. I am local to this area and found the dialect very believable.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was very easy to see things through the eyes of the characters and to empathise with them, even given the very different attitudes of the time.

Any additional comments?

Thomas Hardy at his best....Highly recommended.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • GK
  • 23-07-11

Excellent

A wonderful story that is read beautifully in this audiobook. Peter Firth uses a wide range of voices and accents for the different characters which really brings them to life.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An excellent audio reading of this book

Peter Firth read this book beautifully. I can't wait to read more Thomas Hardy novels.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Peter Firth's narration was excellent.

Fabulous Hardy novel enriched by the voice and skills of Peter Firth. Go buy it.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great way to know the classics

Old text sometimes makes it difficult to get into the classics - this is the way to do that ... Hooked ❤️ forever

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

great

a great story and very well read. will listen over and over again

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Superb narration of a classic novel

Would you consider the audio edition of Tess of the D'Urbervilles to be better than the print version?

Peter Firth has a fundamental understanding of the text (having played Angel in the Polanski film) and this comes across in the sensitivity of his reading. It is a different experience listening rather than reading the novel - the sheer beauty of Hardy's writing is conveyed in a different way. I don't think either reading or listening is superior; both allow you to engage with the novel in different ways.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I'm sorry, us girls love a cad! Alec d'Urbeville is far more interesting than Angel, although all of Hardy's male characters are less well drawn than his female ones.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The scenes that stay in your mind are the most harrowing: the death of the horse and the imagery of the blood on Tess's white dress, Tess burying her still born child, the wedding night confession, the scene in the d'Urbeville vault and the final act at Stonehenge can still chill me, no matter how many times I read/listen to them. Enjoy isn't the right word, however.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

If you don't have an emotional reaction to this book, I would be very surprised.

Any additional comments?

If you have only read the book, I would recommend both listening to the audio book and watching a film version (Polanski, for me, created the best film interpretation, well cast and both gorgeous and chilling). The complexity and the beauty of Hardy's novel mean that mutiple media give different perspectives and emphases on the story and add to your understanding and enjoyment of the text.

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6 people found this helpful