A review by apparatinglibrarian
The Return Of The Native by Thomas Hardy

challenging emotional sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 This wasn't as tragic as Tess, or as lovely as Far From the Madding Crowd, but I liked it more than I thought I would. The first chapter was SOO hard to get through-- wordy and moved so slowly. However, I'm glad I stuck with it, because it picked up, especially at the end! The characters, I believe made their fates and found their place in the world in the end. They were all flawed characters--complicated people, who led complicated lives. In some ways the relationship and downfall of Eustacia Vye and Wildeve reminded me of the American story, "My Antonia." In some ways.

Alan Rickman narrating this was bliss. Are we surprised? Honestly, I think him reading this added to my interest of the story. I enjoyed his many accents of characters, and his emphasizes on phrases and words. He could read a phone book and make it interesting. I highly recommend going on Audible and listening to the Alan Rickman edition. Perfection.