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The Return of the Native

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The Return of the Native

By: Thomas Hardy
Narrated by: Jill Masters
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This fine novel sets in opposition two of Thomas Hardy’s most unforgettable creations: his heroine, the sensuous, free-spirited Eustacia Vye, and the solemn, majestic stretch of upland in Dorsetshire he called Egdon Heath. The famous opening reveals the haunting power of that dark, forbidding moor where proud Eustacia fervently awaits a clandestine meeting with her lover, Damon Wildeve. But Eustacia’s dreams of escape are not to be realized—neither Wildeve nor the returning native Clym Yeobright can bring her salvation.

Injured by forces beyond their control, Hardy’s characters struggle vainly in the net of destiny. In the end, only the face of the lonely heath remains untouched by fate in this masterpiece of tragic passion, a tale that perfectly epitomizes the author’s own unique and melancholy genius.(P) JimCin Recordings
Classics Historical Historical Fiction Victorian Destiny
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Critic reviews

"This is the quality Hardy shares with the great writers...this setting behind the small action the terrific action of unfathomed nature."
--D. H. Lawrence
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I looked forward to hearing this, as I read the book many years ago and loved it. Unfortunately the sound quality is so bad it's impossible to listen to in format 3, so it was no good on my mp3 player, and have now downloaded it in format 4 so I can listen to it from my computer. It isn't too bad in format 4, and it's still a good story, but overall a disappointing purchase.

shame about the sound quality

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