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

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!

Bucket list item checked off

This book has been in my to read list for decades. So sad, tragic, and depressing. Although far too much details for my modernized brain, for it's time it is easy to see why it is a great classic. I'm glad I took the time to this book.

BRITISH GENTLEMEN HAVE A LOT TO ANSWER FOR!

I love Davina Porter's narration and hated the ending of this great novel. I enjoyed the descriptions especially of how the lower classes looked for work, the working conditions, i.e., the temp work of those times! This is a sad story about a girl who was good and beautiful and deserved some mercy. Sorry, this is all I can write just now.

A true classic

This beautifully written, intensely sad story is not a great one to read when you're not in the best mood yourself. That said, it's one I'm sorry I waited so long to pick up. I did a combination audio/kindle read because Davina Porter (one of my absolute favorites) narrated this on the Audible version.

An elegant narrative and lyrical composition make this one a true classic. But, reader beware, it's not a feel good read.

Beautiful but tragic

I can't believe I've never read (or listened to) Hardy before. The novel is full of stunning insights and subtlty. What a fine introduction to this great author. The reader is superb as well.

Lengthy Soap Opera

Beautiful writing. So beautiful I put up with the drawn it, overly dramatic story all the way through.

I felt deep sympathy for the main character much of the time but at other times just wanted to shake her or slap her for her thinking and her subsequent actions.

After the story went on and on and on, it ended in a most unsatisfying way.

Heart Braking

I wasn't expecting that ending! After suffering through so much with Tess to then experience her death! 😭