The Mayor of Casterbridge
Thomas Hardy
Read by Debra Lynn
The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886) is a tragic novel by English author Thomas Hardy subtitled, "The Life and Death of a Man of Character". It is set in the fictional town of Casterbridge (based on the town of Dorchester in Dorset). The book is one of Hardy's Wessex novels, all set in a fictional rustic England. (Wikipedia)
A poor, disgruntled, drunken young man sells his wife and child to the highest bidder. When he awakens, sober, the next day he regrets his rash act and vows to give up drink and find his family and bring them home. Eventually he is forced to give up the search and move on with his life. He does this quite successfully until, nearly 20 years later, his past comes back to haunt him. (DebraLynn) (11 hr 39 min)
Chapters
Chapter 01 | 27:58 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 02 | 9:31 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 03 | 10:22 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 04 | 15:54 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 05 | 13:20 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 06 | 10:02 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 07 | 15:32 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 08 | 15:13 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 09 | 18:06 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 10 | 8:55 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 11 | 12:06 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 12 | 11:31 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 13 | 10:13 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 14 | 19:37 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 15 | 15:04 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 16 | 14:12 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 17 | 15:11 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 18 | 10:13 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 19 | 17:30 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 20 | 21:09 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 21 | 15:59 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 22 | 22:16 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 23 | 17:10 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 24 | 18:03 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 25 | 11:16 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 26 | 22:23 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 27 | 19:24 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 28 | 9:41 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 29 | 17:43 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 30 | 10:49 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 31 | 10:01 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 32 | 16:35 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 33 | 16:43 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 34 | 18:17 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 35 | 10:20 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 36 | 20:21 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 37 | 14:52 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 38 | 14:59 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 39 | 14:58 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 40 | 12:28 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 41 | 20:43 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 42 | 16:14 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 43 | 19:58 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 44 | 21:28 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Chapter 45 | 15:09 | Read by Debra Lynn |
Reviews
An interesting tale that is well read.
666
I'm beginning to become a Tom Hardy fan , after years of thinking he was not worth reading. My original poor regard of him came after reading Tess of the D'urbervilles, which I felt was an overly depressing story without any silver lining for the reader. This is the third Hardy story that I've read since then, with this being my favorite so far. A lot of moral value still relevant today, entwined in a rich story of love, sacrifice, betrayal and forgiveness.
Unsatisfactory Recording
Peter Dodds
Despite having a more English sounding accent, this reader's recording is not satisfactory. The quality of the sound is poor and the the presentation is further blurred by rushed sentences as if it was done in a hurry and without much interest. I gave up after three chapters and have resorted to one of the American versions on Librevox. After listening to some of the Dickens stories, read with such clarity and character by the superb Mill Nicholson, this is a disappointment.
well told story!
Barbi520
As a young woman, I never cared much for Thomas Hardy. Loved Dostoevsky, Camus, Zola. In my later years, I realize what a wonderful story teller Hardy was. This and "Return of the Native" are really good. I find the extended title puzzling. I wonder how many readers think The Mayor was a man of character. Would make for an interesting discussion.
A Very Satisfactory Reading
JazzHands
The only flaw in this reading was the repetition of the Book Title and introduction to Librivox as a whole at the start of each chapter. Otherwise it was thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you Ms. Debra Lynn and even more so Mr. Thomas Hardy.
ZB
A very good tale. Sad, but as the life is sad. Wise, but as the spiritual beings become having lived and thought through this said life. “Happiness is but an occasional episode in the general drama of pain” and beauty, and providence.
Excellent Story
jenniebrown
Thomas Hardy always pulls one into a story and this one is no exception. I’m a fan! Debra Lynn is a delightful narrator and I am so grateful for her time a effort.
Easy to Understand
A LibriVox Listener
Coming from someone who has trouble reading through the accent-rich dialogue of the MOC, this telling was a step forward to finishing this excellent piece of literature.
Highly Enjoyable
A LibriVox Listener
The quality of the text cannot be overstated—a classic!—and neither can the quality of the reading. Excellent!