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Under the Greenwood Tree

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Under the Greenwood Tree

By: Thomas Hardy
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

One of the most popular of Hardy’s novels, this charming pastoral idyll is a lightly humorous depiction of life in an early Victorian rural community. Drawn from Hardy’s childhood memories, it represents, he said, “a true picture at first hand of the personages, ways, and customs which were common in the villages.”

The story delicately balances the concerns of the Mellstock parish choir with a romance between Dick Dewy, a member of the choir, and Fancy Day, the village schoolmistress. While the choir battles for its survival against the new vicar’s mechanical church organ, personal conflicts arise over the anachronistic customs of tradition.

Public Domain (P)1998 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Village Witty

Critic reviews

"It bubbles with good humor and joy in living." (James Gibson, Thomas Hardy: A Literary Life)
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This was one of the best readings of a Hardy novel. Simon Vance skilfully distinguishes male and female voices and brings out the nuances of the characters. Hope for more read by him!

Wonderful performance by Simon Vance of a superb book.

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A good performance by Simon Vance, as always.

The story itself isn't as striking as some in literature. While it looks ordinary, one don't find it boring but so true and thought-provoking.

Imperfect Characters, But So Real

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What a delight! Captivating prose, telling tale, beautifully narrated. A little jewel to be treasured

A little jewel

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As a novel with a heroine and hero it is rather lacking in pace and storyline. It portends to be a romance with unrequited love and anguish, but doesn’t hit the highs or the lows. The heroine is a flighty silly girl without much substance to her and right up to the end the books leaves me wanting more …. something meaningful. It feels it was written by formula. I certainly won’t listen again.

A bit slow but rich in description

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Nothing really happens, so just enjoy the 'walk' the pace is slow but but the scenery rather lovely.

Charming yet dull

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