Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Abridged) Audiobook, by Thomas Hardy Play Audiobook Sample

Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Abridged) Audiobook

Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Abridged) Audiobook, by Thomas Hardy Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Martin Shaw, Lindsay Duncan Publisher: Copyright Group Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 1.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: February 2014 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781780003573

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

9

Longest Chapter Length:

28:08 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

06:58 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

15:46 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

42

Other Audiobooks Written by Thomas Hardy: > View All...

Publisher Description

The chance discovery by a young peasant woman that she is a descendant of a noble family changes the course of her life. When Tess Durbeyfield is driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D'Urbervilles and 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. 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 of Hardy's novels.

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"What a sad and tragic story! It says so much about the plight of women in Victorian England and how one act can ruin a life forever. Although, to be honest, I don't place all of the blame for Tess' plight on Alec taking advantage of her. She and her foolish pride were her own worst enemies. Thomas Hardy seems to have a penchant for unnecessarily long winded descriptions of details that I don't find important to the story, but otherwise, I loved it....even with it's sad ending."

— Mochaspresso (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Hardy’s most striking and tragic heroine, Tess is a woman of intense vitality and innate goodness, and the author’s favorite character.”

    — Barnes & Noble, editorial review

Tess of the D’Urbervilles Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.81967213114754 out of 53.81967213114754 out of 53.81967213114754 out of 53.81967213114754 out of 53.81967213114754 out of 5 (3.82)
5 Stars: 23
4 Stars: 18
3 Stars: 8
2 Stars: 10
1 Stars: 2
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good story even though Tess can be maddening at times. "

    — Caroline, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I would like it more if the major theme wasn't "Women's lives sucked in the 1890's" "

    — Caren, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This very rugged and ordinary tale is made into something special in its originality and uniqueness for the time period it was written in. The life of a simple and beautiful young girl and the trials she faces to love are heartbreaking and told exquisitely. "

    — Tess, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Stonehenge? What the crap?? lol "

    — Jessica, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was an amazing book with a complete surprise ending. Poor Tess. "

    — Misty, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book is written as a tragedy, & it is amazingly sad...but it's also quite refreshingly candid & matter of fact about things that happened back in the time frame it was set in. I was shocked at the ending, NEVER saw that coming.....well worth the read... "

    — Lisa, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I've had inner turmoil for days on how I feel about this book. In the end I have to give it a high rating. Thomas Hardy wrote a beautiful, moving, and tragic novel that left me pondering for days on whether I hated it (which I did at times) or loved it. Ultimately I chose love! "

    — Kristy, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Lovely story - one of the first classics read as an adult "

    — Justine, 10/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Wow!! Quite a terrible life... My first tragedy :( "

    — Jenny, 9/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Tess' story was tragic, but non the less the book was still a great one! I really enjoyed reading it. "

    — Jovani, 9/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A sad story but a real classic. I've read this several times and I am always gripped by it. "

    — Lorraine, 5/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " sad story of missed chances "

    — Christne, 4/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Way to break my heart :'( "

    — Kirsty, 2/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I got really into it, but was so disappointed with the end. So depressing! "

    — Brittney, 11/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of my favourite writers of the English countryside and it's deep, sensuous life. "

    — Edward, 11/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was a good read - another one I wanted to cross off my list, but the ending surprised me!!! It was dry in some places, but I liked the characters and storyline. I was surprised, again, by the ending, but it was a proper ending for the story as it unfolded. "

    — Janice, 9/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Long long long (i'm a fan of brevity), but really enjoyed the story. "

    — Cari, 3/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This plot kept me turning the pages, but it was not an upbeat book. "

    — Allison, 12/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I enjoyed the story although it took a while to get past some of the dialect of the time. Once I began to understand it, I could get into the story. It was interesting to see the choices Tess made and to follow her journey. "

    — Shirley, 12/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I had to read this in high school...I absolutely did not like it. I understood the symbolism of it but hated the ending,actually I disliked the beginning. So I basically loathed the book as a whole. I tried to pick it up again recently but...it did nothing to change my view. "

    — Abby, 11/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I have tried to read this book 3 times and just cannot do it. This puzzles me, as I have enjoy Hardy's other works. Three chances are enough. "

    — Donna, 9/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Not a happy story. Tragic without fulfillment. "

    — Aimeeshirk, 9/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I went through a phase of reading anything I could get my hands on by Thomas Hardy (I was 17!). I still love this book! "

    — Clare, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed it! Though I ended up not liking Angel in the end. "

    — Jessica, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I went through a phase of reading anything I could get my hands on by Thomas Hardy (I was 17!). I still love this book! "

    — Clare, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed it! Though I ended up not liking Angel in the end. "

    — Jessica, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I went through a phase of reading anything I could get my hands on by Thomas Hardy (I was 17!). I still love this book! "

    — Clare, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed it! Though I ended up not liking Angel in the end. "

    — Jessica, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is my all time favourite book. It stayed with me for days after I had finished reading it. "

    — Ann, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " A lot of times when I have violent hatred for a novel I end up reading it again and loving it. I anticipate that this will be one such novel, but boy howdy did T. Hardy piss me off as a writer. "

    — Bridget, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is my all time favourite book. It stayed with me for days after I had finished reading it. "

    — Ann, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " A lot of times when I have violent hatred for a novel I end up reading it again and loving it. I anticipate that this will be one such novel, but boy howdy did T. Hardy piss me off as a writer. "

    — Bridget, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " A lot of times when I have violent hatred for a novel I end up reading it again and loving it. I anticipate that this will be one such novel, but boy howdy did T. Hardy piss me off as a writer. "

    — Bridget, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is my all time favourite book. It stayed with me for days after I had finished reading it. "

    — Ann, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Supposedly Hardy's best book. Certainly the most touching and heart-wrenching. "

    — Deepti, 5/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Supposedly Hardy's best book. Certainly the most touching and heart-wrenching. "

    — Deepti, 5/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Supposedly Hardy's best book. Certainly the most touching and heart-wrenching. "

    — Deepti, 5/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This took me a while to get through. Tess I found to be a very frustrating character. I discussed it with a friend who studied this book for a class and she enjoyed it more than me. Maybe I needed to have a class that studied this book to really get more out of it..... "

    — Martianngray, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This took me a while to get through. Tess I found to be a very frustrating character. I discussed it with a friend who studied this book for a class and she enjoyed it more than me. Maybe I needed to have a class that studied this book to really get more out of it..... "

    — Martianngray, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This took me a while to get through. Tess I found to be a very frustrating character. I discussed it with a friend who studied this book for a class and she enjoyed it more than me. Maybe I needed to have a class that studied this book to really get more out of it..... "

    — Martianngray, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good in passages but it goes on a bit. "

    — Adil, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good in passages but it goes on a bit. "

    — Adil, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good in passages but it goes on a bit. "

    — Adil, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What can I say? It's Hardy's masterpiece! "

    — Tasneem, 5/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What can I say? It's Hardy's masterpiece! "

    — Tasneem, 5/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What can I say? It's Hardy's masterpiece! "

    — Tasneem, 5/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I would kill Angel if I could. Hate hate hate hate HATE him! To death! Give me a knife someone! "

    — Michelle, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I would kill Angel if I could. Hate hate hate hate HATE him! To death! Give me a knife someone! "

    — Michelle, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I would kill Angel if I could. Hate hate hate hate HATE him! To death! Give me a knife someone! "

    — Michelle, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " One of the worst books I've ever read - a moralistic tale full of cliched characters that each stand for a different moral virtue (or sin.) There is nothing of substance to latch on to in the plot in order to feel invested in the story. "

    — Caroline, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " One of the worst books I've ever read - a moralistic tale full of cliched characters that each stand for a different moral virtue (or sin.) There is nothing of substance to latch on to in the plot in order to feel invested in the story. "

    — Caroline, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " One of the worst books I've ever read - a moralistic tale full of cliched characters that each stand for a different moral virtue (or sin.) There is nothing of substance to latch on to in the plot in order to feel invested in the story. "

    — Caroline, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Read for the nth time last October... I never get tired of this book. It still comes across as sensational and action-packed - it must have seemed quite shocking when first published. "

    — Jane, 4/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Read for the nth time last October... I never get tired of this book. It still comes across as sensational and action-packed - it must have seemed quite shocking when first published. "

    — Jane, 4/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Read for the nth time last October... I never get tired of this book. It still comes across as sensational and action-packed - it must have seemed quite shocking when first published. "

    — Jane, 4/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Make a mistake and you're screwed. "

    — Jennifer, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is the absolute best classic I have ever read. I am a senior in college as an english major and I plan on using this book as my thesis. "

    — Nicole, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Make a mistake and you're screwed. "

    — Jennifer, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is the absolute best classic I have ever read. I am a senior in college as an english major and I plan on using this book as my thesis. "

    — Nicole, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Make a mistake and you're screwed. "

    — Jennifer, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is the absolute best classic I have ever read. I am a senior in college as an english major and I plan on using this book as my thesis. "

    — Nicole, 4/28/2011

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.

About the Narrators

Martin Shaw is an award-winning English actor known for his distinguished theater career and over one hundred television roles, including the popular Detective Constable Doyle in The Professionals. He lives in Norfolk, England.

Jilly Bond has worked extensively in theater and radio for many years. Her stage credits include Miranda in The Tempest, Fiona in When I Was a Girl I Used to Scream and Shout, and Anita in A Small Family Business. She is regularly heard in dramas for Radio 4 and the BBC World Service. She has won two AudioFile Earphones Awards for her audiobook narration.