Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Ralph Cosham's narration of of Hardy's classic English novel captures the essence of na•ve Tess, a poor, beautiful country girl. With textured characterizations and a seamless narrative, Cosham depicts Tess's seduction and betrayal by Alec, a country nobleman. Cosham's English accent and polished performance render the society and customs of the 1800s with a vividness that brings them to life. When Tess's baby dies, Alec once again pursues her relentlessly--this time to become his mistress. Tess has already fallen in love with Angel, a clergyman's son. Yet when Angel learns of Tess's past, he abandons her, and Tess learns she is only valued for her use to others. Cosham delivers the timeless appeal of Hardy's tragic story of seduction and abandonment. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

July 28, 2008
Anna Bentinck ratchets up the melodrama for this full-blooded reading of Hardy's classic—a staple of high-school English classes everywhere. Students desperate to penetrate Hardy's notoriously slow masterpiece should turn to Bentinck, who gives it an intense emotional coloring. She makes Hardy sound like a brother to the Brontë sisters: passionate and brooding. Bentinck alternates between a crisp, precise narrative voice that sounds like Helen Mirren, and Tess's own voice, quavering, shallow and meek. Bentinck retains her composure throughout, and her assured performance may be a welcome rescue for struggling 11th graders across the country.

Those who are intimidated by the thought of reading an expansive, elaborate, great English novel, take heart. Now you can delight in hearing this classic story told to you. Peter Firth artistically interprets this fateful tale of a young country woman's entrapment by one of literature's great cads, Alec D'Urberville, and her subsequent abandonment by her husband, Angel Clare. Firth's tone is one of gentle solemnity, quiet and sad, not overly dramatic, but still foreboding. His dialects sound natural and unforced. His pacing is unrushed, respectful of the book's structure and punctuation. His pronunciation is flawless, with words like "interlocutor" and "theolatry" little sound poems in themselves. His light voice for Tess captures both the vulnerability and quiet strength of this misused maiden. His homage to Hardy's world view is evident in his thoughtful rendering of every homily, philosophical assertion and poetic description. Production values are also top rate: no swallows, gulps, or page turnings. The volume level is consistent, and the entire performance is of the best fidelity. It's hard to think that TESS could be interpreted better. P.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine