A Laodicean; or, The Castle of the De Stancys. A Story of Today

by Thomas Hardy Narrated by Anna Bentinck

Overview

Subtitled "A Story of To-day," A Laodicean occupies a unique place in the Thomas Hardy canon. Departing from pre-industrial Wessex, Hardy brings his themes of social constraint, fate, chance and miscommunication to the very modern world of the 1880s - complete with falsified telegraphs, fake photographs, and perilous train tracks. The story follows the life of Paula Power, heiress of her late father's railroad fortune and the new owner of the medieval Castle Stancy. With the castle in need of restoration, Paula employs architect George Somerset, who soon falls in love with her. However, Paula's dreams of nobility draw her to another suitor, Captain de Stancy, who is aided by his villainous son, William Dare...

Editorial Reviews

AUGUST 2019 - AudioFile

Narrator Anna Bentinck’s gentle tone and easy cadence complement Thomas Hardy’s leisurely prose. The story centers on a talented architect, George Somerset, who falls in love with a wealthy yet indecisive young woman. Bentinck energetically gives voice to Hardy’s characters. Somerset speaks kindly and emphatically in contrast to the mysterious William Dare, who speaks in an ominous tone with a slight Indian accent. Bentinck masterfully provides a variety of accents for minor characters, easily transitioning between rustic villagers and polite society. Her excellent delivery of narrative and vocal characterizations wakes up this lesser-known Hardy novel. D.M.W. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2019 - AudioFile

Narrator Anna Bentinck’s gentle tone and easy cadence complement Thomas Hardy’s leisurely prose. The story centers on a talented architect, George Somerset, who falls in love with a wealthy yet indecisive young woman. Bentinck energetically gives voice to Hardy’s characters. Somerset speaks kindly and emphatically in contrast to the mysterious William Dare, who speaks in an ominous tone with a slight Indian accent. Bentinck masterfully provides a variety of accents for minor characters, easily transitioning between rustic villagers and polite society. Her excellent delivery of narrative and vocal characterizations wakes up this lesser-known Hardy novel. D.M.W. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169228939
Publisher:	Naxos Audiobooks
Publication date:	01/01/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged

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