The Return of the Native

De: Thomas Hardy

Narrado por: Nicholas Rowe

In the remote wildness of Egdon Heath, the crossed love affairs and marriages of a small group of people are played out against the background of nature’s beauty and indifference to mankind. Through a series of vivid incidents and encounters, The Return of the Native moves in a relentless drive towards tragedy, as the plans and dreams of the lovers miscarry, defeated by chance, or destiny or self-deception. In their unhappy stories, Hardy gives us a powerful dramatization of his bleak philosophy, his belief in man’s helplessness before the malevolence of the universe.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2014 Naxos AudioBooks

One of the most perfect books ever written

A true classic and work of genius with a masterfully structured plot, rich and evocative descriptions of nature, and keen insights into human psychology, all beautifully narrated. One of the best books I have ever read.

Thomas Hardy

One of his best novels very well performed being that the dialogue was in dialect and idiom of that location and time. This one of the best audible performances I have heard. It brought out the texture of the story thoroughly, and with the dialogue, the authenticity of the characters. This is a classic Hardy novel, definitely a plot of that period.

Ok story

I could take it or leave the plot, but Hardy does write well. I think I much prefer Tess, however.

Dissatisfaction with the Poorly done Narration

The narration is fine until the clumsy attempts to emulate the characters accents. Then the stream of imagery is destroyed. Then the novel's beauty is ruined. It is sad when a classic is usurped by the determination of a narration ...