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  • The Woodlanders

  • By: Thomas Hardy
  • Narrated by: Samuel West
  • Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (33 ratings)

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The Woodlanders cover art

The Woodlanders

By: Thomas Hardy
Narrated by: Samuel West
Free with 30-day trial

$16.45/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

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Publisher's Summary

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 Historical Fiction Romance
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Critic Reviews

"The foremost novelist of his time." (Geoffrey Harvey, The Complete Critical Guide to Thomas Hardy)

What listeners say about The Woodlanders

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Profile Image for Georgette Heyer

Great story

Woodlanders definitely deserves its classics status. A beautifully poignant story and Samuel West is a talented narrator.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Am I Missing the Last Chapter ?

Having recently laboured through modern writing with its overuse of words and descriptors , I was nice to get back to simple and concise writing. Also well complimented by good narration.

I was enjoying my 10 hours listening and pondered how the story would end. I was also engrossed in Grace’s life. Pondered also why this book did not get the accolades of Hardy’s other books.

The story ends abruptly and I thought I had advanced the books end by mistake. But alas - no.
It ends with much wondering when the story was going to take me. Was it up to me to fill the gaps?

Disappointed but not sorry. I listen with absolute wonderment as to how life was back then. How simple but not with the social classes and polite behaviours. Would love to spend a day in their shoes.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Brydie Robinson

Took a while to get into.

I nearly quit this book a couple of hours in. This was a free book which I appreciate. The story took a while to gain traction, and it is paired with a slow and ponderous narrator. I think I’m glad that I persevered, although it was not a groundbreaking story, just a nice one. No suspense or twists to speak of, but I don’t think that’s what the author was going for. It did leave a nice but melancholy impression and wrapped up well.

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