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The Mayor of Casterbridge
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins
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Publisher's summary
Set against the backdrop of peaceful southwest England, where Thomas Hardy spent much of his youth, The Mayor of Casterbridge captures the author's unique genius for depicting the absurdity underlying much of the sorrow and humor in our lives. Michael Henchard is an out-of-work hay-trusser who gets drunk at a local fair and impulsively sells his wife, Susan, and baby daughter. Eighteen years later, Susan and her daughter seek him out, only to discover that he has become the most prominent man in Casterbridge. Henchard attempts to make amends for his youthful misdeeds, but his unchanged impulsiveness clouds his relationships in love as well as his fortunes in business. Although Henchard is fated to be a modern-day tragic hero, unable to survive in the new commercial world, his story is also a journey toward love.
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A big, brilliant, spooky collection of classic and contemporary ghost stories that will make you hesitate before turning off that light.
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A very mixed review
- By Michael Mayer on 08-05-15
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Jane Eyre
- By: Charlotte Brontë
- Narrated by: Thandiwe Newton
- Length: 19 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Following Jane from her childhood as an orphan in Northern England through her experience as a governess at Thornfield Hall, Charlotte Brontë's Gothic classic is an early exploration of women's independence in the mid-19th century and the pervasive societal challenges women had to endure. At Thornfield, Jane meets the complex and mysterious Mr. Rochester, with whom she shares a complicated relationship that ultimately forces her to reconcile the conflicting passions of romantic love and religious piety.
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Perfect!!
- By Amazon Customer on 04-21-16
By: Charlotte Brontë
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Anna of the Five Towns
- By: Arnold Bennett
- Narrated by: Peter Joyce
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Set in stifled, industrial Staffordshire in the late 19th century, against a strong evangelical background, Anna of the Five Towns tells of the courting of hard businessman Ephraim Tellright's daughter by prosperous and accomplished Henry Mynors. As her father's fortune grows, so does Anna understanding. She realises her legacy and responsibility for the possible ruination of her father's tenants, Titus Price and his son, Willie, who also loves her.
By: Arnold Bennett
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The Woman in White
- By: Wilkie Collins
- Narrated by: Josephine Bailey, Simon Prebble
- Length: 25 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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One of the greatest mystery thrillers ever written, Wilkie Collins's The Woman in White was a phenomenal best seller in the 1860s, achieving even greater success than works by Charles Dickens. Full of surprise, intrigue, and suspense, this vastly entertaining novel continues to enthrall audiences today.
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Gripping novel, excellent production
- By David on 01-18-11
By: Wilkie Collins
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Lady Audley's Secret
- By: Mary Elizabeth Braddon
- Narrated by: Olivia Poulet
- Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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From the author of The Christmas Hirelings comes this Audible Exclusive production of Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s classic sensation novel Lady Audley’s Secret. English actress Olivia Poulet gives an assured and captivating narration; a cornerstone of the genre and a scandal at the time of its publication, Lady Audley’s Secret is an entertaining and shocking tale of high drama and shifting perceptions.
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Classic 19th Century “sensation novel”
- By Susan on 08-20-19
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A Room with a View
- By: E. M. Forster
- Narrated by: Rebecca Hall
- Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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In this rich new audio production, acclaimed British American actress Rebecca Hall brings one of E. M. Forster's most admired works to life in this classic tale of human struggle. A charming young Englishwoman, Lucy Honeychurch, is wooed by both free-spirited George Emerson and wealthy Cecil Vyse while vacationing in Italy. Though attracted to George, Lucy becomes engaged to Cecil despite twice turning down his proposals. On hearing of the news, George confesses his love, leaving Lucy torn between marrying the more socially acceptable Cecil or George, the man she knows would bring her true happiness. Should Lucy choose social acceptance or true love?
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A lovely performance, and a wonderful story
- By Robert on 01-19-19
By: E. M. Forster
What listeners say about The Mayor of Casterbridge
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Lynn Gilbert
- 07-17-22
Pitch perfect….story and narration!
Thomas Hardy creates a rich tapestry that is a page turner.
The story, the fully developed characters, time and place, are artfully described. You become immersed in the lives of people in another century. If you like good writing, this is for you.
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- Sazzoo
- 01-16-22
Loved every minute
This is a classic for a reason. Action-packed and makes you think too. Outstanding performance by the reader. He is able to give each character their own voice without making any of them cartoonish.
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- MindSprung
- 07-09-22
Another Great Thomas Hardy
My son is working on a Doctorate in English Lit and Thomas Hardy is his favorite author. So I got curious and started listening to his novels. This one is relatively short and really good though sad. The characters are varied and interesting. Though the book is written in 19th century British english I have no trouble understanding it as an American (USA).
19th century rural Britain lives again through the eyes and genius of Mr. Hardy. I think he would have made a great therapist because he understood so many personality types and writes both genders well. This is a real page turner and held my interest throughout. Simon Vance did a great job narrating as always.
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- Sarah Zarelli
- 12-03-21
A treasured book for me
so thankful this great performance is included with audible membership. the mayor of casterbridge is a book that my grandfather first gave me when I was a teenager. sincerely enjoyed listening to it again.
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- Anonymous User
- 03-03-22
A Masterpiece
I studied this in school sixty years ago. This time I enjoyed it so much more.
Brilliantly read. A fascinating insight into the customs and social interactions of country life in the 19th century.
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- AmazonCustomer
- 07-14-22
Highly Recommend
I love Hardy and this book is one of my absolute favorites. The narration was excellent. To me this is a novel that gets even better in audio.
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- Jill
- 12-20-22
Well done
Can’t imagine a better narrator for this novel. Hardy’s outstanding, classic works lend themselves to the Audible format very well.
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- Barbara Bachner
- 05-27-22
Hardy at his best
Start anywhere and find beauty in the writing. Fall asleep then awake to more writing that allows you to see beauty in phrases, as well as in the affection between characters. I had already read the book. I now use it to make the best of insomnia.
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- Teresa
- 01-19-22
Tapered off to boring
First I must say the narrator was excellent.
The story really kept my interest for about 2/3 of the book. Then things got tedious and I no longer cared about the characters or their outcome. Feel asleep and never bothered rewinding.
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