JUDE THE OBSCURE

Some indigestible novels should be delivered orally by the best possible narrator; they’re too painful to read otherwise. This is definitely the case with Hardy’s Jude the Obscure. Hardy’s prose style is preachy, Jude and Sue’s troubles are simply beyond the pale, and the reader’s sympathy can be exhausted early on. Narrator Stephen Thorne comes to the rescue by taking the novel seriously. He performs all characters masterfully, with helpful pacing and impressive energy. Every gasp, sob, moan, and cry is professionally delivered without a trace of irony. Upon completion, one feels gratitude towards the talented Thorne for helping us get down this bitter pill of a book. P.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: MAR 93]