Tess of the d'Urbervilles

By: Thomas Hardy

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 17 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Tess Durbeyfield, a peasant girl and cast-off descendant of English aristocracy, has become one of the most famous female protagonists in 19th-century British literature. Betrayed by the two men in her life - Alec D’Urberville, her seducer/rapist and father of her fated child; and Angel, her intellectual and pious husband - Tess takes justice, and her own destiny, into her delicate hands. In telling her desperate and passionate story, Hardy brings Tess to life with an extraordinary vividness that makes her live in the heart of the reader long after the novel is concluded.

Public Domain (P)1994 Recorded Books, LLC

The Novel as a *Ball of Light in One's Hand*

As one reads Thomas Hardy's 1891 novel, it can be terribly tough to swallow the unremitting victimization of Tess, a poor but "pure" girl from a rural family. Hardy's theme calling on readers' sympathy for the female protagonist, while in many novels would be a glaring weakness, is by novel's end its supreme strength. I cannot think of another novel that comes close to the power and effectiveness in its scathing indictment of men's exploitation of poor women in Victorian society as does "Tess of the D'Urbervilles."

The novel was reportedly scandalous at publication due to its empathetic treatment of a "disgraced" woman. Truth hurts most. Hardy slammed home the absurdity of existing Victorian mores whereby exploited women of poverty were deemed at fault for their sexual and economic exploitation and for their impoverishment. In this way, Tess is the type of book Ezra Pound referred to as "a ball of light in one's hand"--hoisted with the exclamation, Shame on You and Stop the Absurdity!

I hold a special place in my literary heart for such fearless, forceful and arresting attacks over the ages on arrogant, affluential a-holes.

In the story, poor Tess is mercilessly manipulated by two men. First, Alec D'Urberville, a citified cad, rapes and impregnates her on her first job (and, much later, fraudulently seduces her). Then she moves away to work on another farm where she is heavily romanced by and falls in love with Angel Clare who quixotically envisions Tess as a pure and heavenly female who he likens to Demeter, the Greek goddess of fertility. The idealistic character of Clare's expectations renders him unable to forgive Tess for not being a virgin when they married, and causes him to abandon her.

By no accounts is Tess's story uplifting. History shows however that Hardy's most-read novel was a necessary ball of light and one of the most paradigmatic, kick-butt social novels ever.

One of the best books ever

Just couldn't leave the device I was listening with. Enchanting. Very interesting times and a fantastic performance!

Davina Porter

Davina Porter is brilliant in this production of Tess of the d’Urbervilles! I highly recommend this audiobook. Davina Porter also narrates the Outlander series in which she does an amazing job!

too slow for me

Would you try another book from Thomas Hardy and/or Davina Porter?

I did get through this book and it was much better at the very end. but would not recommend it. Would be so much better if shortened.

Enjoyable

I enjoyed the book and the insight into those English times. I did think that the narrator made Tess sound like a simpleton and found myself repeating the lines in my head in order to make her seem intelligent.

Classic Thomas Hardy

The tragic story of Tess breaks your heart but is so well written, you can’t stop listening. The narrator is so good. Highly recommended!

Narration is entertaining. Story is infuriating.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Narration-wise, it was very entertaining; Porter sings, whispers, chants, and uses a myriad of different accents to really bring the characters to life. Story-wise, Tess will stick with you a long time after you read it, and Hardy's language is beautiful.

What did you like best about this story?

Hardy's language. I wrote down about fifteen different quotes from the book that I enjoyed as I was listening to it. Truly beautiful at points.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to say. Tess' life doesn't have many starry moments. I do believe I was happiest for her when she was dancing with her friends at the very beginning of the novel, before she met Alec or Angel.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

There were moments when I didn't want to stop listening, and moments when I wished things would move along just a little bit faster (in particular when Tess was deciding whether or not to tell Angel about her past; I found her back-and-forth too repetitive). I don't think I could have made it through the entire thing in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

The narration is entertaining, but the story is just as tragic as the other comments say. Expect to hate the world a little bit when you've finished. You'll be infuriated for and at Tess all at once.

excellent publication and performance

The performance and writing was extremely well done. I could picture everything in my minds eye. this sad story provided much to ponder upon. I can see why this story has survived the centuries and been deemed such a masterful piece of literature. I am, however, thankful for my understanding of the very flowery speech. while I can easily imagine young ladies of the 16th through 19th centuries pleasantly reading this piece, I highly doubt many grown women of today would have an easy time of it, unless they had Spark Notes to assist. The spoken English language has been considerably abbreviated and therefore much has been lost.

Wonderful production

A wonderful classic, narration made it even better. One of my favorite Hardy stories. Would love to listen to again and again.

A beautiful book beautifully narrated

Tess of the D'Urbervilles is such an incredible and powerful novel. Davina Porter provided a brilliant narration - her accents were flawless!