The Hand of Ethelberta

By: Thomas Hardy

Narrated by: Fenella Woolgar

Opportunistic, shrewd and beautiful, Ethelberta resolves to disguise her humble beginnings and elevate her position in society. Crafting her career as a society poet and staging her family as her servants, she proves admirably adept at sustaining her own web of deceit as she reinvents herself and navigates the attentions of four different suitors. The wealthiest is not the one she loves... what will she do? This is a light-hearted urban tale, offering a different side of Thomas Hardy. The master of pastoral realist novels was presenting a "somewhat frivolous narrative", which nevertheless displayed his acute consciousness of class divisions and continues to delight those who discover it within his better-known works.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2023 Naxos AudioBooks UK Ltd.

Critic reviews

"Fenella Woolgar gives an exemplary performance of this gentle comic novel, which skews the English class system.... Woolgar provides Ethelberta with a youthful, light tone that belies her resolute nature. Woolgar expertly distinguishes the many characters with individualized vocal expression. Her pacing is relaxed, and her vivid depictions of rural and city settings add atmosphere. This novel is an easy listen and can serve as an introduction to Hardy's works." (AudioFile)

Good Read

Love the scenery descriptions and the unusual character of Ethel Berta. Listened to it several times.

A pleasant surprise

Though usually considered one of Hardy’s lesser novels, this was was a thoroughly enjoyable listen. (The “hand” of the title refers to Ethelberta’s hand in marriage.) The eponymous protagonist is the intelligent, strong willed middle daughter of a large working class family, struggling to make ends meet in class-conscious England. Not nearly as bleak as Tess or Jude, the novel includes a good dose of comedy. Fenella Woolgar’s reading is perfect.

Would Appeal to Hardy Fans

Charming story, told in the inimitable Hardy manner.
He’s quickly becoming my favorite author, though none of his stories are my “favorite book” he tells a story well.
This example is a little less character driven than some of his others but still an enjoyable read and ends happily. Recommend!