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The Woodlanders

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The Woodlanders

By: Thomas Hardy
Narrated by: Samuel West
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About this listen

 Set in the Dorset landscape familiar to Hardy novels, The Woodlanders concerns the fortunes of Giles Winterborne, whose love for the well-do-do Grace Melbury is challenged by the arrival of a dashing and dissolute doctor, Edred Fitzpiers. When the mysterious Mrs Charmond further complicates the romantic entanglements, marital choice and class mobility become inextricably linked.(P)2014 Audible, Inc. Classics Fiction Historical Fiction Romance Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Tear-jerking

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Critic reviews

"The foremost novelist of his time." (Geoffrey Harvey, The Complete Critical Guide to Thomas Hardy)
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I love Thomas Hardy but had never read this one. I thought it may not be as well written as his later ones but it is just as evocative and beautifully expressed as any other. The story, though typical, is perhaps slightly less convoluted than some ? But never fear there is still plenty of coincidence and misunderstanding! Excellently narrated.

Wonderful

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This book was beautifully written and beautifully read. The narrator was excellent. The description of lives lived in the 1800’s and woodland management give extra depth.

A beautiful book

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Very gentle and enjoyable. Lovely to listen to and do the ironing. x x x

Enjoyable

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This was a thoroughly enjoyable tale, with some excellent twists and turns. The narrator was just right in tone.

Very enjoyable

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I’m a Thomas Hardy fan and this doesn’t disappoint; beautifully drawn characters enduring the twists and turns of rural life in times gone by. Hardy knows how to tug on the heart strings and the narrator is perfect. A joy to listen to.

Such good narration!

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This is reputed to be Hardy's favourite of his own novels. It certainly is one of his best. Quite brilliant to be honest and superbly read by Samuel West. Highly recommended

Wonderful

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A lovely read. Wonderful characters and very well narrated. Will definitely read another one from Thomas Hardy.

Brilliant!!

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My favourite audiobook, poetic and beautiful. Perfect narration. I can understand why Thomas Hardy felt it was his favourite story.

Highly recommended.

Excelllent

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I've read a lot of Hardy in the past, but had never tried this one - I think it's my favourite. Great reading too.

Perfect Hardy

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I felt so drawn into the lives of the Woodlanders that I had to ration my listening so as to make the story not come to an end too quickly.
Compared to some of his other novels, Hardy seems to steer the outcomes for each individual in the story to one of rescue and even redemption. I must admit that from early in the novel I was expecting a more bleak ending to unfold. Nonetheless it was a thrilling and so well read, listen.
This is my first audible experience and probably going to prove a difficult one to follow both in quality of story and narrator.

All the treasures of a Hardy setting and characters.

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