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The Return of the Native Audiobook
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(3.00) - 11,726 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In the barren moor of Egdon Heath, a wild tract of country in the southwest of England, one native yearns to escape to city life while another has just returned from that life, unimpressed.
Clym Yeobright, a former diamond merchant in Paris, returns home to become a schoolmaster in Egdon, where he falls passionately in love with the sensuous, free-spirited Eustacia Vye. Infatuated with his seeming glamour, she marries him in hopes of greater adventure—but when her hopes are disappointed, she rekindles an affair with Clym's reckless cousin, Damon.
Injured by forces beyond their control, Hardy's characters struggle vainly in the net of destiny.In the end, only the face of the lonely heath remains untouched by fate. This masterpiece of tragic passion perfectly epitomizes the author's melancholy genius.
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"I loved it, as I love most classics. Similar to most classic British novels, this book has a somewhat slow start. It does, however, redeem itself in later chapters. It was a spectacular read. "
— Melanie (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“This is the quality Hardy shares with the great writers…This setting behind the small action the terrific action of unfathomed nature.”
— D. H. Lawrence -
“Into the landscape he begins to weave human figures. They are very much alive; have faults and passions, virtues and vices, good luck and tragic mishaps…Hardy arrives at last at the end of his novel…having produced a most charming, original sketch of the lives of quiet people in one nook of England.”
— New York Times -
“The Return of the Native is the most artistically perfect of [Hardy’] novels to date...his style has gained in power and clarity.”
— Graphic (London), 1878 -
“The Return of the Native is one of the most remarkable books of the last twenty years.”
— Vanity Fair, 1878
The Return of the Native Listener Reviews
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" My opinion of this book might be a case of bad timing. I may try it again sometime. "
— Christine, 5/23/2011 -
" Read in prep school and all I remember is Clym Yeobright and Eustacia Vye and a <br/>pretty depressing tale. Tough to rate of course unless I read it again. Date read is a guess. "
— Chris, 5/12/2011 -
" Takes a long while to get into the story. I didn't care for the people in the story. Nor did I like the story. "
— Ange, 4/23/2011 -
" Listened on audio in the car. Tough to get started with the long description of the heath. Almost gave up. Love the language of the day. So formal. Turned out to be a good love story. "
— Karen, 4/8/2011 -
" My favourite Thomas Hardy book ever! Highly recommended! Thomas Hardy is my favourite author. "
— Fawn, 3/16/2011 -
" Inspired a lifelong commitment to reading for pleasure. "
— Lcooney, 2/15/2011
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 Wanda McCaddon
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.