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Tess of the D'Urbervilles
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Summary
The story of Tess, daughter of a poor peddler, is one of heartbreak and sorrow, deception and indecency. When sent to live with a wealthy family, the D'Urbervilles, who are not who they appear to be, Tess endures many hardships and abuse, while trying to make a fortune with the family to whom she believes she is related to. The abuse leads to her getting pregnant by a man named Alec. Upon this discovery Tess returns home to her family, but more misfortune is set to befall her after the birth of her illegitimate child.
Back home, she is able to find work and happiness as a milkmaid, and even discovers her true love, but her secrets come back to haunt her; and Angel, her lover, cannot forgive her past. Even though they have been married, he leaves for Brazil warning her not to come after him. Her past comes back to haunt Tess after her husband leaves, and more trouble befalls her family, forcing her back into the arms of her abuser.
Angel finally returns, ready to forgive Tess, who is wrapped up in an affair she fears she will never get out of. She finally is able to do the unthinkable, but will Angel forgive her sins again? The story will take the listener on a rollercoaster of emotions and plot twists as Tess's fate is determined.
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- J. W. Coop
- 18-08-18
Brilliant, Beautiful Novel, Wonderfully Read
I am a lifelong reader of Thomas Hardy, one of our great novelists and poets. This typically powerful novel is full of poetic description that puts the reader into the time and place of the story as few other authors can do. And Tess is a character to love, and feel deep sympathy for, as we share her epic and very personal journey. Kate Petrie is a marvelous reader, her voice full of feeling but never intruding. Her way with the various accents, of different classes and places, is wonderful. You can't go wrong with this version!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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- TobyGom
- 07-03-19
Awful reading speed
I was choosing between different options on Tess of the D’Urbervilles and purchased this one. I could not bear listening to more than two chapters. The diction of the person who is reading the story is good but her reading speed is off! She reads in a hurry and makes no pauses between sentences so all the sentences blend in. So annoying! Money wasted.