Jude the Obscure created storms of scandal and protest for the author upon its publication. Hardy, disgusted and disappointed, devoted the remainder of his life to poetry and never wrote another novel. Today, the material is far less shocking. Jude Fawley, a poor stone carver with aspirations toward an academic career, is thwarted at every turn and is finally forced to give up his dreams of a university education. He is tricked into an unwise marriage, and when his wife deserts him, he begins a relationship with a free-spirited cousin. With this begins the descent into bleak tragedy as the couple alternately defy and succumb to the pressures of a deeply disapproving society. Hardy's characters have a fascinating ambiguity: they are victimized by a stern moral code, but they are also selfish and weak-willed creatures who bring on much of their own difficulties through their own vacillations and submissions to impulse. The abridgment speeds Jude's fall to considerable dramatic effect, but it also deletes the author's agonizing logic. Instead of the meticulous weaving of Jude's destiny, we get a somewhat incoherent summary that preserves the major plot points but fails to draw us into the tragedy. Michael Pennington reads resonantly and skillfully, his voice perfectly matching the grim music of Hardy's prose, but this recording can only be recommended for larger public libraries.--John Owen, Advanced Micro Devices, Sunnyvale, CA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
A powerful critique of Victorian society's social constraints and the crushing weight of expectations. The story revolves around Jude Fawley, a working-class dreamer with aspirations of becoming a scholar at the prestigious university in Christminster. Hindered by societal norms, Jude's ambitions are thwarted at every turn, leading him into complicated relationships and heart-wrenching decisions. The novel explores themes of love, marriage, class divisions, and the limitations imposed by a rigid society. Hardy's unflinching portrayal of human struggles and the hardships of fate leaves a profound impact on readers, earning "Jude the Obscure" a reputation as one of the author's most powerful and controversial works.
Thomas Hardy, an English novelist and poet, is celebrated for his poignant and often tragic depictions of rural life in England during the 19th century. His works, including "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," "Far from the Madding Crowd," and "Jude the Obscure," explored themes of fate, society's constraints, and the complexities of human relationships, making him one of the significant figures of English literature.
A powerful critique of Victorian society's social constraints and the crushing weight of expectations. The story revolves around Jude Fawley, a working-class dreamer with aspirations of becoming a scholar at the prestigious university in Christminster. Hindered by societal norms, Jude's ambitions are thwarted at every turn, leading him into complicated relationships and heart-wrenching decisions. The novel explores themes of love, marriage, class divisions, and the limitations imposed by a rigid society. Hardy's unflinching portrayal of human struggles and the hardships of fate leaves a profound impact on readers, earning "Jude the Obscure" a reputation as one of the author's most powerful and controversial works.
Thomas Hardy, an English novelist and poet, is celebrated for his poignant and often tragic depictions of rural life in England during the 19th century. His works, including "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," "Far from the Madding Crowd," and "Jude the Obscure," explored themes of fate, society's constraints, and the complexities of human relationships, making him one of the significant figures of English literature.
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940159496003 |
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Publisher: | Icon Audio Arts |
Publication date: | 08/04/2023 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
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