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  • Tess of the D'Urbervilles

  • By: Thomas Hardy
  • Narrated by: Anne-Marie Duff
  • Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (209 ratings)
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Tess of the D'Urbervilles cover art

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

By: Thomas Hardy
Narrated by: Anne-Marie Duff
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Summary

When Tess Durbeyfield is driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D'Urbervilles and to seek a portion of their family fortune, meeting her cousin Alec proves to be her downfall. A very different man, Angel Clare, seems to offer her love and salvation, but Tess must choose whether to reveal her past or remain silent in the hope of a peaceful future.

Thomas Hardy’s timeless masterpiece is brought to life in this new recording by Anne-Marie Duff (Shameless, His Dark Materials).   

With its sensitive depiction of the wronged Tess and powerful criticism of social convention, Tess of the D'Urbervilles is one of the most moving and poetic novels of all time.

Public Domain (P)2020 Audible, Ltd

Behind the scenes

Anne-Marie Duff on narrating Tess.
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What listeners say about Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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Beautifully told and written

I actually listened to this over a long period of time in part but the last two thirds more quickly. It was interesting at all times, was beautifully written and delivered and I enjoyed it immensely, accepting its at times depressing subject matter!

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Harrowing but hopeful

I have read this book more than once and get angry at the historical misogyny, but it is an excellent story and it was very well performed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Tess

A sad tale of love & woe, So well read by Anne-Marie Duffy from start to finish.

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Almost perfect

Anne-Marie Duff is just brilliant at bringing Tess and her sad story to life. It’s heartbreaking and tough to listen in places, but a wonderful reading.

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Anne-Marie Duff makes this

Tess is such a heartrending novel. I read it as a teenager and hadn't been back since, but with a local exhibition based on Tess coming up this was the ideal way to get reaquainted. Anne-Marie Duff's beautiful narration painted the world so well. Thoroughly recommended

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A classic brought to life

The wonderful, sad, classic novel with a superb performance from Anne-Marie Duff. Highly recommended indeed.

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A beautiful story beautifully read

My favourite story of love, tragedy & love brought to life by Anne-Marie Duff.

The characterisation was excellent, the accents authentic bringing the book to life.

Listening to this at 0.9x was the perfect speed. It enriched my imagination and made the experience last longer. Definitely an audible book to keep and listen to again and again.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Fantastic reading.

The story itself is at times a little dull and flat, but Anne Marie Duff's performance makes up for that in spades. What a wonderful reading. Characterisation was excellent, and hit the right tone as required by character and plot.

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Beautiful narration of a tragic tale!

I read this years ago as a teenager but couldn’t remember it apart from the main characters even on hearing it. I think the delicate complexities in Hardys writing style, certainly for me, made it much more meaningful & moving having life experience of my own now. Also, even though times have changed I still felt the themes running through the story of sexual inequality & socioeconomic status are still extremely relevant and made me question ‘how much have things really changed’?

I found that I preferred the speed reduced to 0.9x or had to keep rewinding it but I think maybe that’s because I read quite slow but what a marvellous job Anne-Marie Duff did at the narration, from the accents, the different characters and the beautifully sweet singing of little folk songs throughout x I really hope she does more soon.

All in all, a tragic story of the injustices of love, perfectly written & wonderfully narrated I loved every minute of it by chapter 2 (stick with it till then!) and listened completely enraptured. I would highly recommend 10/10

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Loved it!

A lyrical sculptor! And the most trajic love story, based around an area of the south that I adore. Very well read.

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