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A Pair of Blue Eyes Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,166 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In "A Pair of Blue Eyes," Thomas Hardy weaves the tale of Elfride Swancourt, a young woman torn between two lovers in a story that predates modern romantic dramas. Elfride finds herself navigating the complexities of love and social expectation when she falls for Stephen Smith, a socially inferior architect, only to be later courted by the sophisticated Henry Knight. Set against the rugged backdrop of the English coast, Hardy explores themes of innocence, jealousy, and the constraints imposed by societal class, marking the novel with his signature blend of romance and tragedy.
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"Oh Thomas Hardy, you are one sick virtuoso. Very good on women, sometimes sexist, but sometimes ironically, always trying for complexity. And funny, oddly. I think Hardy has a lot of respect for Elfride, and I like that. You can feel how much he enjoys writing the gothic, and it's infectious."
— Martina (4 out of 5 stars)
A Pair of Blue Eyes Listener Reviews
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" The more I read Thomas Hardy, the more I am convinced of his genius. He truly is a master of the written word, evoking inforgettable images, characters and scenes that stir the heart and remain with the reader long after the book has been completed. "
— JoAnn, 2/20/2014 -
" This book was typical for Thomas Hardy. Girl gets scorned by lover, chooses another - dies. "
— Amber, 2/16/2014 -
" Melodramatic and sentimental and wonderfully distressing. I first read this while long-distance love-struck during a semester abroad. It is my sentimental favorite. "
— Amelia, 2/11/2014 -
" The original cliffhanger (literally) -- a homage to his(Hardy's) first wife, this book is still fresh and a lovely read "
— David, 1/20/2014 -
" Its such a sad story. Elfie is so young and love eludes her at every turn. "
— Robin, 1/18/2014 -
" Certainly not one of Hardy's best, but an entertaining read nonetheless. In it, you can see common elements that appear more developed in his later work. If you liked Tess, Jude, and Return of the Native, you'll probably find this worthwhile. "
— Rego, 1/18/2014 -
" Although I love Thomas Hardy, I tire of circumstantial events which might cause a character to be lost in love which happens to this female character. "
— Elaine, 12/31/2013 -
" although i wasnt on the edge of my seat, and it took a little while to get going, i did enjoy reading this book once the story picked up. it has the usual train wreck plot line that i love about hardy. how many ways can romance go wrong? "
— Erin, 11/15/2013 -
" It was a train wreck from the very start...but Hardy's books always are. Full of foolish choices and silly characters who ruin their lives. Yet I still keep reading them. "
— Brandi, 11/14/2013 -
" Early Hardy, when he was still perfecting his craft and themes. Still a good story, if didactic and judgmental. Penguin Classics edition has an intro that is a spoiler. "
— Susan, 9/18/2013 -
" Quite over dramatic, and all of the characters frustratingly naive. "
— Emily, 1/30/2013 -
" The story and ending seemed like a short story. "
— Miriam, 9/4/2012 -
" Great little book. Found myself not wanting to put it down. Early Hardy novel has all the ironies and tragedies that would make his later (and heavier) books so famous. "
— Martina, 7/10/2012 -
" Liked the book but didn't like the main character..Elfride..:| "
— Stefania, 7/5/2012 -
" well up to the usual Hardy standards "
— Vikki, 6/11/2012 -
" Oh so so many words and references that I hadn't any clue what they meant, but the story sucked me right in and I just couldn't put it down. Not for everyone, but if you enjoy Old English stories and Thomas Hardy's writings you won't be disappointed. "
— Dawn, 12/3/2011 -
" There was too much time spent on unnecessary detailed descriptions. Also the ending was not to my liking. But overall it was a pretty good read. "
— Nicki, 10/4/2011 -
" This is easily one of the greatest Hardy novels, and it's a true shame that it's not more widely read. Here, Hardy has written a real ending, not taking the easy or simplest way out. The result is a book that is both beautifully devastating and completely honest. "
— Leaf, 6/27/2011 -
" Little known but my favorite Thomas Hardy book "
— Mike, 5/14/2011 -
" hardy's softest and best portrayal of human nature and the relationship between man and woman. "
— Deepti, 5/13/2011 -
" Oh so so many words and references that I hadn't any clue what they meant, but the story sucked me right in and I just couldn't put it down. Not for everyone, but if you enjoy Old English stories and Thomas Hardy's writings you won't be disappointed. "
— Dawn, 2/17/2011 -
" I happen to love Hardy, melodrama and all, and this one is chock-full of his usual: tragedy, miscommunication, fateful choices. <br/> <br/>Intellectually, I know it's not one of his best, but I still couldn't put it down. <br/> "
— Hannah, 2/5/2011 -
" Not Hardy's best work--it's early--but you can see the talent there. "
— Tim, 12/1/2010 -
" Although I love Thomas Hardy, I tire of circumstantial events which might cause a character to be lost in love which happens to this female character. "
— Elaine, 11/1/2010 -
" Liked the book but didn't like the main character..Elfride..:| "
— Stefania, 7/17/2010
About Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy (1840–1928), English poet, dramatist, and novelist, was born on the Egdon Heath in Dorset. He studied in Dorchester and apprenticed to an architect before leaving for London, where he began to write. Unable to find a public for his poetry, which idealized the rural life, he turned to the novel and met with success as well as controversy. The strong public reaction against some of his darker themes turned him back to writing verse. Today several of his novels are considered masterpieces of tragedy.