Jude the Obscure

By: Thomas Hardy

Narrated by: Neville Jason

Sexually innocent Jude Fawley is trapped into marriage by seductive Arabella Donn, but their union is an unhappy one and Arabella leaves him. Jude's welcome freedom allows him to pursue his obsession with his pretty cousin Sue Bridehead, a brilliant, charismatic free-thinker who would be his ideal soul mate if not for her aversion to physical love. When Jude and Sue decide to lead their lives outside marriage they bring down on themselves all the force of a repressive society. This fearless and outspoken story caused a furor on its publication, and was Hardy's last novel.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2013 Naxos AudioBooks

Incredibly tragic but fascinating

The reader really brings this classic text to life. One of the best audio book performances I’ve listened to!

Sad indictment against marriage

This is another gripping but tragic Thomas Hardy novel. This one is quite heavy-handed. The writing style changes as Jude grows up and his views and experiences change. Its not my favorite Hardy novel but it is definitely worth the read. I don't want to discuss the story because it is full of surprises and I would be a spoiler if I talked about it. Just buy it and listen to it. You won't regret it (unless you are engaged to be married.)

One of the best books ever written!

Masterfully, performed! The reader enhances the understanding of the characters. Hardy is one of the most talented writers to have ever scratched the page, and Jude is his opus.

What was the point in writing this book?

Would you try another book from Thomas Hardy and/or Neville Jason?

i previously read The Woodlanders and enjoyed it. This book however was devoid of any main characters who were likable or one could say sane. I keep waiting for anyone to "break through" and show a redeeming quality or to display sound judgment. Didn't happen.

Would you ever listen to anything by Thomas Hardy again?

I'm moving on.

What does Neville Jason bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good job!

Could you see Jude the Obscure being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Please no.

Tragic and beautiful

Hardy is really sneering at tradition and conventionality and deploring elitism and misguided morality and the human need to find a reason for every calamity where none actually exists.