His last and most controversial novel, Jude the Obscure provoked such widespread and bitter attacks that Hardy claimed it caused him to stop writing novels. The primary causes of the uproar involved Hardy’s frank treatment of sexual themes and his unconventional portrayal of the pillars of Victorian society: the British university system, marriage, and religion. Today, many consider this to be Hardy’s finest work.
The story involves the tragic relationship between Jude Fawley, a village stonemason who is thwarted in his aspirations to the ministry, and Sue Bridehead, a freethinking cousin who is shunned by society for her social and sexual rebellion. Concerned with the annihilation of innocence, Jude the Obscure is powerful in its portrayal of suffering, rich in its evocation of nature, and tragic in its vision of life.
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"I love Thomas Hardy, how he portrays life in rural England in the 1870s. A very sad book; I would have like it better if it weren't so depressing. Kind of like life. Thomas Hardy is an amazing writer, the way he evokes settings and scenes and relationships and emotions. I recall really enjoying Hardy's "Far from the Madding Crowd" and "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," and them not being so depressing. This book is fascinating the way it depicts what I think is a relatively fine line between healthy romantic/sexual relationships and extremely screwed-up ones."
— Lincoln (4 out of 5 stars)
“A compelling novel is made more so in this audio version by the outstanding work of Frederick Davidson. Always dependable, Davidson here excels in his use of measured dramatics; his consistent differentiation of a large cast of characters from varying social, educational and, therefore, dialectal groups; and his obvious personal involvement in the miseries of the two main characters.”
— AudioFile“[Hardy's] style touches sublimity”
— T. S. Eliot“The greatest tragic writer among English Novelists”
— Virginia Woolf" Still working through all the things in this book, but it has been plenty long enough to realize that this needs a spot on the silver shelf. "
— Jen, 2/20/2014" Great book but very tragic towards the end "
— Erica, 2/19/2014" I loved this book as I did all of Thomas Hardy's books, it's very powerful. I was reading it on the London underground on my way into work one morning when I came to the heart-wrenching climax. I had arrived at my station and I just sat on a seat on the platform, continuing to read, until I could bear to tear myself away from it to go to work. "
— Daffy, 2/18/2014" I usually really like Thomas Hardy, but the only reason I gave this book 1 star was because Sue frustrated me so much! She was so irritating, that I didn't understand at all why Jude would put up with so much for her sake. "
— Amy, 2/17/2014" Thomas Hardys best book hands down "
— Carley, 2/10/2014" Death was not the tragedy for the reader, but rather the release. Jude's life was a long string of disappointment and despair - not because there was never any hope, but because great potential was dashed to pieces by decisions made foolishly because of a lack of maturity and experience, which is arguably the greatest tragedy of all. Needless to say, it was an emotional ride and an exercise of moral philosophy. "
— Noelle, 2/9/2014" Enjoyable all around, but a bit too neatly tied with coincidental meetings of characters. I suppose that's par for the era. More potential for controversy than I expected: unwed pregnancies, premarital sex, old guys marrying young babes... hot! : ) "
— Steve, 2/8/2014" My favorite Hardy book but I love them all. "
— Christina, 2/4/2014" This book was really disturbing, but it was interesting too. I found myself rooting for Jude and Sue even though they did not have very much going for them. Not very redeeming. But, it was a great look into a relationship that would later on become very commonplace. "
— Sidemoss, 2/4/2014" If you never read another Hardy in your life, you should read this one! "
— Georgina, 2/3/2014" possibly the most depressing story I have ever read!! "
— Claire, 1/21/2014Thomas 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.
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.