| Jude the Obscure Contributor(s): Hardy, Thomas (Author), Davidson, Frederick (Read by) |
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ISBN: 1470847760 ISBN-13: 9781470847760 Publisher: Blackstone Publishing OUR PRICE: $31.46 Product Type: Compact Disc - Other Formats Published: August 2012 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Fiction | Classics - Fiction | Literary |
| Dewey: FIC |
| Physical Information: 1.5" H x 5.2" W x 5.8" (0.70 lbs) |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Ancient (To 499 A.D.) - Chronological Period - 19th Century - Cultural Region - British Isles |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: His last and most controversial novel, Jude the Obscure provoked such widespread and bitter attacks that Thomas Hardy claimed it caused him to stop writing novels. The primary causes of the uproar involved Hardy's frank treatment of sexual themes and his unconventional portrayal of the pillars of Victorian society: the British university system, marriage, and religion. Today, many consider this to be Hardy's finest work. The story involves the tragic relationship between Jude Fawley, a village stonemason who is thwarted in his aspirations to attend university and become a scholar, and Sue Bridehead, a freethinking cousin who is shunned by society for her social and sexual rebellion. Ostracized by a disapproving society, the two gradually descend into tragedy. Concerned with the annihilation of innocence, Jude the Obscure is powerful in its portrayal of suffering, rich in its evocation of nature, and tragic in its vision of life. |
Contributor Bio(s): Hardy, Thomas: - Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), English poet, dramatist, and novelist, was born on the Egdon Heath in Dorset. He studied in Dorchester and apprenticed to an architect before leaving for London, where he began to write. Unable to find a public for his poetry, which idealized the rural life, he turned to the novel and met with success as well as controversy. The strong public reaction against some of his darker themes turned him back to writing verse. Today several of his novels are considered masterpieces of tragedy. Davidson, Frederick: -Frederick Davidson (1932-2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile's Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings. |