The Return of the Native

By: Thomas Hardy

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Virginia Woolf once called Thomas Hardy "the greatest tragic writer among English novelists". His atmospheric novels were often considered shocking upon their publication. In this classic, Clym Yeobright returns to Egdon Heath from Paris, intending to settle down and improve the lives of his townspeople. But the alluring and mysterious Eustacia Vye has other plans. Like so many of Hardy’s masterpieces, The Return of the Native is both a rich character study and a critical examination of Victorian society.

Public Domain (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

Wonderful

Would you consider the audio edition of The Return of the Native to be better than the print version?

I would. I love Patrick Tull's voice, and for some reason the density of Hardy translates really well to audio (especially with such a gifted narrator). I think I appreciate Hardy's long descriptions of setting much more than I would when reading, given that our modern tastes are a little more sparing.

What did you like best about this story?

The forehead slapping decisions of the two sets of couples. And when the young boy is gambling.

Have you listened to any of Patrick Tull’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to his version of Dickens' Hard Times, which is why I bought this edition. I love, love, love his voice. He has such skill with women, especially. Dickens has a wider variety of characters than Hardy, so Dickens was, in that respect, more fun. But man oh man, when Eustacia is lamenting her scourging, I really felt like I was listening to *her* and not Tull at all.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the Reddleman wins back the guineas. And when Eustacia hears the "frog" on the second 5th of November.

Any additional comments?

I think that classics like this one are really done a wonderful service with such careful and artful narration. Even as a literature lover, I simply don't have the time to sit down and really immerse myself in a book like this, but when I enjoy it this way, I get to savor it while doing all sorts of other things.

Excellent!!!

One of the most heartbreaking novels I've ever read. Beautiful prose. I was highly satisfied