Tess of the D'urbervilles - Softcover

THE STORY is well known, but listening to an unabridged reading will always illuminate fresh themes and details. It also highlights the range of Hardy's writing, which can move from the 'opalised light of the moon' in heavenscapes, through sweeping landscapes down to a single dewdrop. Anna Bentinck conveys superbly Hardy's nuances of tone from the locals' country accents to Angel Clare's fastidious correctness. D'Urberville sounds kindly rather than just a wheedling cad which gives the listener deeper understanding and sympathy for Tess's predicament. --Rachel Redford, The Oldie

Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented is a novel by Thomas Hardy. It initially appeared in a censored and serialised version, published by the British illustrated newspaper The Graphic in 1891 and in book form in 1892. Though now considered a major nineteenth century English novel, Tess of the d'Ubervilles received mixed reviews when it first appeared, in part because it challenged the sexual mores of late Victorian England.