A Pair of Blue Eyes


Read by Tadhg

(4.6 stars; 151 reviews)

The book describes the love triangle between a young woman, Elfride Swancourt, and her two suitors from very different backgrounds. Stephen Smith is a socially inferior but ambitious young man who adores her and with whom she shares a country background. Henry Knight is the respectable, established, older man who represents London society. (Summary by Wikipedia) (13 hr 29 min)

Chapters

Preface 3:48 Read by Tadhg
Chapter I 7:07 Read by Tadhg
Chapter II 15:19 Read by Tadhg
Chapter III 14:49 Read by Tadhg
Chapter IV 21:43 Read by Tadhg
Chapter V 19:59 Read by Tadhg
Chapter VI 13:14 Read by Tadhg
Chapter VII 38:11 Read by Tadhg
Chapter VIII 21:34 Read by Tadhg
Chapter IX 21:18 Read by Tadhg
Chapter X 26:14 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XI 29:13 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XII 31:54 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XIII 17:44 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XIV 20:36 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XV 7:26 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XVI 11:31 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XVII 15:27 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XVIII 35:33 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XIX 19:24 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XX 33:23 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXI 19:13 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXII 22:14 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXIII 25:41 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXIV 8:02 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXV 19:18 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXVI 13:32 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXVII 32:37 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXVIII 23:19 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXIX 36:59 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXX 22:40 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXI 17:11 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXII 16:24 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXIII 15:39 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXIV 17:34 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXV 12:20 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXVI 9:39 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXVII 11:00 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXVIII 23:24 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XXXIX 19:30 Read by Tadhg
Chapter XL 18:04 Read by Tadhg

Reviews

Truly excellent, a treat for the mind and ears!


(5 stars)

Though a Hardyophile from way back, I was unfamiliar with this title and delighted to get to know the story and characters, several of whom are complex and memorable even by Thomas Hardy standards. Can't say enough good things about reader Tadhg Hynes-- his voice is wonderfully natural and easy on the ears, the interpretation is intelligent, lucid and artistic, and the voices and dialects are just flat-out brilliant work. Even during extended dialog passages, he manages to be so consistent in the voice of each character that you always know exactly who is speaking. I am very much looking forward to his solo "Woodlanders" (in progress.) An enthusiastic recommendation with much appreciation!


(4 stars)

A Pair of Blue Eyes isn't as well known as some of Thomas Hardy's others novels, and perhaps not as dramatic, it has some of the pastoral descriptions and social themes, especially the misfortunes of women in out still mostly patriarchal world. The narrator is a perfect match for all of Hardy's novels.

Delightful.


(5 stars)

I finished this delightful story 24 hours past and can't escape from its beauty. and sadness. Thomas Hardy at his best and excellently read by Tadhg Hynes.


(5 stars)

i loved the story and i absolutely loved the rendition by Tadhg...thank you Tadhg for making the story come alive with your character accents

Great tragic romance


(5 stars)

Loved the narrator and the story had a good balance of emotions

Pre-Tess of the D'Urbervilles


(4 stars)

This novel has some of the elements of Tess of the D'Urbervilles but without the tragedy, and can perhaps be called a tragicomedy. I had a bit of a chuckle at the ending. The heroine, though not unintelligent, is a bit good-hearted, a bit fickle and a bit shallow, and we are left wondering if her suiters like her for her innocence and her hair and eyes. With some of the wonderful landscape descriptions Hardy is known for, and an exciting cliff-hanger (literally), it's a worthwhile listen. I always enjoy a British Isles accent especially when the book is British, and the narrator doesn't disappoint even if I didn't understand some of the thick-accented conversations which occurred a few times. But that's Hardy's fault as I'm sure the narrator spoke them correctly.

A classic Hardy tragedy


(4 stars)

A beautifully crafted novel and with the reading skills of Tadhg you don't simply hear the story you actually live and breathe the lives of the characters. An astonishing narrative feast! As for the story itself well without spoiling it for new readers this is a highly melodramatic tragedy where the constraints of class society and the fates conspire against Elfride (perhaps for her betrayal of her first true lover??).


(5 stars)

Beautifully read- Christine Gibson - Johannesburg. I love Thomas Hardy. His knowledge of all the different classes of society is so well defined. Our world is so changed. My grandchildren who are so very modern are still too young to appreciate these lovely beautifully written books. Perhaps when they are 50!?