Audio only
Length15h 16m
About this audiobook
"A Pair of Blue Eyes" was one of Thomas Hardy´s earliest books, originally serialised in Tinsley’s Magazine from September 1872 to July 1873 and it is considered one of his best.
"A Pair of Blue Eyes" is the story of Elfride Swancourt, a vicar’s daughter living in a remote corner of England, who is forced to choose between two very different men. One of these, Stephen Smith, is a young architect whom she meets when he is sent by his employer to survey the church buildings. At first, the vicar approves of Stephen and encourages his daughter to spend time with him. It soon emerges, however, that Stephen has been hiding an important secret from the Swancourts; something that could put his relationship with Elfride in jeopardy. Later in the book, another man arrives at Endelstow Vicarage – Henry Knight, an essayist and reviewer from London – and Elfride has to make a difficult decision.
Written at a crucial time in Hardy's life, "A Pair of Blue Eyes" expresses more directly than any of his novels the events and social forces that made him the writer he was. Elfride's dilemma mirrors the difficult decision Hardy himself had to make with this novel: to pursue the profession of architecture, where he was established, or literature, where he had yet to make his name.
Audiobook details
GenreGeneral Fiction, Mystery and Thriller, Romance
Length15 hrs 16 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 13, 2019
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Preface
2Chapter I - ‘A fair vestal, throned in the west’
3Chapter II - ’Twas on the evening of a winter’s day.’
4Chapter III - ‘Melodious birds sing madrigals’
5Chapter IV - ‘Where heaves the turf in many a mould’ring heap.’
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6Chapter V - ‘Bosom’d high in tufted trees.’
7Chapter VI - ‘Fare thee weel awhile!’
8Chapter VII - ‘No more of me you knew, my love!’
9Chapter VIII - ‘Allen-a-Dale is no baron or lord.’
10Chapter IX - ‘Her father did fume’
11Chapter X - ‘Beneath the shelter of an aged tree.’
12Chapter XI - ‘Journeys end in lovers meeting.’
13Chapter XII - ‘Adieu! she cries, and waved her lily hand.’
14Chapter XIII - ‘He set in order many proverbs.’
15Chapter XIV - ‘We frolic while ’tis May.’
16Chapter XV - ‘A wandering voice.’
17Chapter XVI - ‘Then fancy shapes — as fancy can.’
18Chapter XVII - ‘Her welcome, spoke in faltering phrase.’
19Chapter XVIII - ‘He heard her musical pants.’
20Chapter XIX - ‘Love was in the next degree.’
21Chapter XX - ‘A distant dearness in the hill.’
22Chapter XXI - ‘On thy cold grey stones, O sea!’
23Chapter XXII - ‘A woman’s way.’
24Chapter XXIII - ‘Should auld acquaintance be forgot?’
25Chapter XXIV - ‘Breeze, bird, and flower confess the hour.’
26Chapter XXV - ‘Mine own familiar friend.’
27Chapter XXVI - ‘To that last nothing under earth.’
28Chapter XXVII - ‘How should I greet thee?’
29Chapter XXVIII - ‘I lull a fancy, trouble-tost.’
30Chapter XXIX - ‘Care, thou canker.’
31Chapter XXX - ‘Vassal unto Love.’
32Chapter XXXI - ‘A worm i’ the bud.’
33Chapter XXXII - ‘Had I wist before I kist’
34Chapter XXXIII - ‘O daughter of Babylon, wasted with misery.’
35Chapter XXXIV - ‘Yea, happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.’
36Chapter XXXV - ‘And wilt thou leave me thus? — say nay — say nay!’
37Chapter XXXVI ‘The pennie’s the jewel that beautifies a’.’
38Chapter XXXVII - ‘After many days.’
39Chapter XXXVIII - ‘Jealousy is cruel as the grave.’
40Chapter XXXIX - ‘Each to the loved one’s side.’
41Chapter XL - ‘Welcome, proud lady.’
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