Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Masterful narration for a beautifully heart-wrenching story

(5 stars)

dave

Adrian Praetzellis gives a caring performance, allowing the story to come to life. The characters voices are well chosen and distinct; the English accent is a fine touch; the gentle pace good.

flawless

(5 stars)

katamorrow

This reading is a labour of love - flawless, sensitive, technically clear, perfectly paced.

An impressive recording

(5 stars)

Philippe Horak

The novel centers around a young woman who struggles to find her place in society. When it is discovered that the low-class Durbeyfield family is in reality the d'Urbervilles, the last of a famous bloodline that dates back hundreds of years, the mother sends her eldest daughter, Tess, to beg money from relations with the obvious desire that Tess wed the rich Mr. d'Urberville. Thus begins a tale of woe in which a wealthy man cruelly mistreats a poor girl. Tess is taken advantage of by Mr. d'Urberville and leaves his house, returning home to have their child, who subsequently dies. Throughout the rest of this fascinating novel, Tess is tormented by guilt at the thought of her impurity and vows to never marry. She is tested when she meets Angel, the clever son of a priest, and falls in love with him. After days of pleading, Tess gives in to Angel and consents to marry him. Angel deserts Tess when he finds the innocent country girl he fell in love with is not so pure. Many thanks to Mr Praetzellis for his wonderful reading of Hardy's novel. His performance will please all fans of classic British literature.

Tess of the D'ubervilles

(5 stars)

Tessa Madaffore

Both writer and reader had me almost putting everything else on hold from. the middle of the story to the very last sentence of this literary masterpiece.

Tess of the d'urbervilles

(5 stars)

uggs

Amazing novel, amazing reader. Thank you for making this so enjoyable Adrian.

(5 stars)

john

Thank you Mr. P for your sensitive and engaging rendition of this beautifully written, sad and at times even tearjerking (the baptism had me crying my eyes out) masterpiece. Tess is a very likeable young woman who appears to have born under the dark cloud of her ancient extinct ancestors, the d,Urbervilles. Although fate has dealt her mostly a cruel hand, it is she herself who ultimately chooses the action which seals her tragic fate. Great reading of a great novel.

A Moving Story

(5 stars)

Byron Lee Scott

Terrific reading. The depth of this tale, spiritually, historically, as well as the various characters is amazing. How much pain and suffering has been and still is the result of religious guilt, shame, and self-righteous, controlling morality? I'm glad some people are more open in modern times to discuss sexuality, and that religion has less power over individual choice. I'm impatient with detailed descriptions of scenery, though I suppose before television and movies it was more necessary.

Wow.

(5 stars)

jollyrogered

I am absolutely floored by Hardy's excellence as an author in this book. I was force-fed it in high school, at a time I had no appreciation for such things, but ten years later this story has had a major impact on me. Once again Adrian provided an absolutely excellent reading. He is one of my favorite narrators on Librivox!