The Mayor of Casterbridge
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Narrated by:
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Jenny Sterlin
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By:
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Thomas Hardy
About this listen
One of the great novelists of British literature, Thomas Hardy caused quite a stir when this powerful novel was first published. Michael Henchard, down on his luck and drunk, sells his wife and child to a sailor for five guineas. As time goes by, Henchard becomes Mayor of Casterbridge—but he cannot escape the tragedy of his past.
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Editorial reviews
Novelist Thomas Hardy creates one of the most fully realized characters of literature in the figure of Michael Henchard, the mayor of Casterbridge. "Selling" his wife and child while intoxicated at a county fair, Henchard sets in motion a series of events depicting the turns of fate that fill these lives with bittersweet irony. Showing extraordinary vocal range and emotional truth to dozens of complex characters is acclaimed British actress Jenny Sterlin. Listeners are treated to heartbreaking reversals of fate and accents portrayed with talent and professionalism.
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- Length: 24 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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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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- Amazon Customer
- 01-13-18
Wonderful book about life
Book deals with poor decisions, good decisions, bad luck, chance, and the sad aspects of life. However, it also deals with goodness, hope, and happiness. A wonderful story dealing w the realities of living and relationships.
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- H. Gladman
- 05-19-15
Excellent
This was a wonderfully engaging and sad Hardy novel and beautifully narrated. Thoroughly enjoyable and moving.
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- Kathi
- 04-12-13
Hardy--consummate teller of stories!
Thomas Hardy considered himself primarily to be a poet. Which is partly why his novels are so beautiful to read. Another reason is because he had the gift of writing stories that depicted the deepest desires and struggles of people pitted against nature, society and their own inner conflicts. Told with Victorian pathos, showing some of the changing times as England moves into the industrialized era, they also reflect the Greek notions of fate and destiny.
Michael Henchard is undoubtedly one of Hardy's most complex characters. He is a man who is deeply flawed, but who is always willing to accept the consequences of his actions (indeed, it might even be thought that he has a self-destructive personality, so creates his own opportunities for suffering). It is this quality about him that defines a life in which he is often guided by his passions, and does things that lead him to live with enormous guilt and remorse. Beginning with selling his wife and daughter while in a drunken state, the book picks up many years later, as he has made a respectful position for himself in Casterbridge. We see him showing hints of his ultimate downfall as the townspeople are upset with the quality of wheat he has sold them. His wife Susan and her daughter Elizabeth-Jane have found him, and considering how to make contact with him. The daughter has no idea who he is. The remainder of the book depicts the emotional events that ensue as Henchard comes to terms with his own actions. He struggles to do what is right, but his own nature leads him often to actions that defeat him instead.
This is one of my admired authors and definitely one of my all-time most favorite books. It is for this reason that I would have wished for the narration to have been a little better. However, with only that caveat, I highly recommend this book (indeed, anything written by Thomas Hardy)!
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4 people found this helpful