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The Return of the Native (Oxford World's Classics)
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Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
Author: Thomas Hardy
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Average Customer Rating:
Our Price: $8.95
You Save: $ ( % )
Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
Author: Thomas Hardy
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Average Customer Rating:
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The Return of the Native (Oxford World's Classics) Description
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780192840721
ISBN: 019284072X
Label: Oxford University Press, USA
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 488
Publication Date: 2005-03-17
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Studio: Oxford University Press, USA
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780192840721
ISBN: 019284072X
Label: Oxford University Press, USA
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 488
Publication Date: 2005-03-17
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Studio: Oxford University Press, USA
Editorial Review of The Return of the Native (Oxford World's Classics)
In Hardy's The Return of the Native, Eustacia Vye criss-crosses the wild Egdon Heath, eager to experience life to the full in her quest for "music, poetry, passion, war." She marries Clym Yeobright, a native of the heath, but his idealism frustrates her romantic ambitions and her discontent draws others into a tangled web of deceit and unhappiness. Early readers responded to Hardy's "insatiably observant" descriptions of the heath, a setting that for D. H. Lawrence provided the "real stuff of tragedy." For modern readers, the tension between the mythic setting of the heath and the modernity of the characters challenges our freedom to shape the world as we wish; like Eustacia, we may not always be able to live our dreams.
This edition has the only critical text based on the manuscript and first edition, and without the later changes that substantially altered Hardy's original intentions. The new introduction by critic Margaret R. Higonnet is the most critically up-to-date discussion of the novel available and considers the mythic nature of the heath opposed to the modernity of the characters, the economic vocabulary of value and investment, the novel's classical structure, and Hardy's cinematic techniques.
This edition has the only critical text based on the manuscript and first edition, and without the later changes that substantially altered Hardy's original intentions. The new introduction by critic Margaret R. Higonnet is the most critically up-to-date discussion of the novel available and considers the mythic nature of the heath opposed to the modernity of the characters, the economic vocabulary of value and investment, the novel's classical structure, and Hardy's cinematic techniques.
Customer Reviews of The Return of the Native (Oxford World's Classics)
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Rickman reading of Return of the Native
Review: Fantastic reading of the book. The first chapter is slow due to detailed writing of scenic attributes but once the plot unfolds it is riveting. It is easy to feel for the characters due to the unbelievable job that Alan Rickman does narrating the story, He has the proper voice inflections for each character to really project the appropriate emotions meant by the author. I have listened to book narrations before that have failed miserably at that important aspect and subsequently ruined the experience. Rickman is a master at it. Although it is fairly long, it did not detract at all as I listened to it on the way to work each day. I actually found myself wishing it were longer! I would highly recommend "reading" this via the audio book.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: A Suberb Recording
Review: First, let me confess that I bought this because I am a fan of Alan Rickman's wonderfully rich, mellifluous baritone and the idea of spending hours listening to him read one of the classics of English literature is was absolute heaven to me. And, I can honestly say, I was not disappointed; the recording is absolutely brilliant.
Using ever nuance and range of his distinctive Rickmans each character that poulates Egdon Heath his or her own distinctive voice and cosistantly applies it throughout from the beginning to the end of the story. When he reads the description of the wild and desolate heath, Rickman's voice turns Hardy' prose into sublime poetry.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Get the CD Version January 2007
Review: Get the CD version just out .
When I had to read this book in High School I found it excruciatingly BORING. But Alan Rickman did such a good job, now I think this story is BETTER than Wuthering Heights.
From AudioFile
" The suffering that follows is mitigated somewhat by the ending, but more by the mastery of Alan Rickman's reading. At the start, Rickman senses the voice for each character in Hardy's fictional world, and he maintains each character's personality throughout. He even manages to project Hardy's subtle shadings of tone with the rhythm and tempo of his narration, throwing in a song here and there because, in spite of his gloom, there is a festive strain to Hardy, as well. If you have a hard time reading this classic English writer, this is how to do it. "P.E.F. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine.
Yes and he can even do the womens voices without doing falsetto ! Rickman won the Best Talking Book or Talkie thing for this and deservedly so.
I enjoy talking books and often use them as I drive long distances and this is the best one I have heard so far. I hope Alan Rickman , or another English actor, reads some more Thomas Hardy books for us in future.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Good but nothing spectacular.
Review: Hardy is very good at descriptions. The language he uses makes the people and scenery come alive. While this is true I personally feel that I would have preferred to read other books over this one. A good book but nothing special.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: The return of the native
Review: This book has been taught in lit classes for years excellent but sad book.
Michael B Vye
Review Summary: Rickman reading of Return of the Native
Review: Fantastic reading of the book. The first chapter is slow due to detailed writing of scenic attributes but once the plot unfolds it is riveting. It is easy to feel for the characters due to the unbelievable job that Alan Rickman does narrating the story, He has the proper voice inflections for each character to really project the appropriate emotions meant by the author. I have listened to book narrations before that have failed miserably at that important aspect and subsequently ruined the experience. Rickman is a master at it. Although it is fairly long, it did not detract at all as I listened to it on the way to work each day. I actually found myself wishing it were longer! I would highly recommend "reading" this via the audio book.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: A Suberb Recording
Review: First, let me confess that I bought this because I am a fan of Alan Rickman's wonderfully rich, mellifluous baritone and the idea of spending hours listening to him read one of the classics of English literature is was absolute heaven to me. And, I can honestly say, I was not disappointed; the recording is absolutely brilliant.
Using ever nuance and range of his distinctive Rickmans each character that poulates Egdon Heath his or her own distinctive voice and cosistantly applies it throughout from the beginning to the end of the story. When he reads the description of the wild and desolate heath, Rickman's voice turns Hardy' prose into sublime poetry.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Get the CD Version January 2007
Review: Get the CD version just out .
When I had to read this book in High School I found it excruciatingly BORING. But Alan Rickman did such a good job, now I think this story is BETTER than Wuthering Heights.
From AudioFile
" The suffering that follows is mitigated somewhat by the ending, but more by the mastery of Alan Rickman's reading. At the start, Rickman senses the voice for each character in Hardy's fictional world, and he maintains each character's personality throughout. He even manages to project Hardy's subtle shadings of tone with the rhythm and tempo of his narration, throwing in a song here and there because, in spite of his gloom, there is a festive strain to Hardy, as well. If you have a hard time reading this classic English writer, this is how to do it. "P.E.F. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine.
Yes and he can even do the womens voices without doing falsetto ! Rickman won the Best Talking Book or Talkie thing for this and deservedly so.
I enjoy talking books and often use them as I drive long distances and this is the best one I have heard so far. I hope Alan Rickman , or another English actor, reads some more Thomas Hardy books for us in future.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Good but nothing spectacular.
Review: Hardy is very good at descriptions. The language he uses makes the people and scenery come alive. While this is true I personally feel that I would have preferred to read other books over this one. A good book but nothing special.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: The return of the native
Review: This book has been taught in lit classes for years excellent but sad book.
Michael B Vye