Tess of the D'Urbervilles cover art

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

£5.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

By: Thomas Hardy
Narrated by: Martin Shaw
Try for £0.00

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £8.20

Buy Now for £8.20

About this listen

This audiobook includes an introduction and notes by Michael Irwin, professor of English Literature at the University of Kent at Canterbury.

Set in Hardy's Wessex, Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a moving novel of hypocrisy and double standards. Its challenging sub-title, "A Pure Woman", infuriated critics when the book was first published in 1891, and it was condemned as immoral and pessimistic.

The novel tells the story of Tess Durbeyfield, the daughter of a poor and dissipated villager, who learns that she may be descended from the ancient family of d'Urbeville. In her search for respectability, her fortunes fluctuate wildly, and the story assumes the proportions of a Greek tragedy. It explores Tess' relationships with two very different men, her struggle against the social mores of the rural Victorian world which she inhabits, and the hypocrisy of the age.

©2010 De Agostini UK (P)2011 Talking Classics Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural Village Tear-jerking
All stars
Most relevant
Such a powerful story. This Talking Classics abridged version is excellent, with good narration. I highly recommend this, and other titles in the series.

Wonderful adaptation

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.