Author:Thomas Hardy

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series. Please note that the eBook edition does NOT include access to the audio edition and digital book. Written for learners of English as a foreign language, each title includes carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises.
Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content.
The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles,a Level 6 Reader, is B1+ in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future continuous, reported questions, third conditional, was going to and ellipsis. A small number of illustrations support the text.
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When Jack and Joan Durbeyfield learn that their ancestors were the d'Urbervilles - a rich and well-known family - they hope it will make their lives better. They send their eldest daughter, Tess, to introduce herself to some "relatives". There, Tess meets Alec d'Urberville, who immediately notices her beauty. The terrible event that follows changes her life forever.
A truly beautiful and haunting novel, and an incredible feat of storytelling
A tender, unusual and gorgeously wrought love story that weaves the magic of folk lore, the wonder of the sea, and the depths of human cruelty. It moves between the worlds it inhabits like the finest piece of driftwood.
—— RACHEL JOYCEIn times of war, Lewis finds resilience, redemption and hope...DRIFT feels perfectly judged
—— OBSERVERCaptivating from the off
—— Huw Stephens, BBC Front RowA truly magical and transformative novel. I loved it.
—— Kirsty CapesOriginal and timely... [shows] the resilience of the human spirit, the tenacity and love that helps us survive.
—— IRISH TIMESA heart-wrenching, all at sea read -- you are going to want this on your radar.
—— ERICKA WALLERMischievous and thought-provoking
—— SheerluxeSlyly humorous, sharp, courageous and at times devastating... The Odyssey is a wildly original satire
—— Frances Cha, author of 'If I Had Your Face'Vuong writes with such a sensitive scrutiny, breathtaking in its expression
—— Financial Times, *Books of the Year*A stirring collection of poetry. Vuong experiments with language and form while probing the aftermath of his mother's death and his determination to survive it. Take your time with these poems, and return to them often
—— Washington PostThrough these poems, Vuong sings loud and clear of everything worth living for and discovering - just as vividly as he did in his critically acclaimed titles On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and Night Sky With Exit Wounds
—— NPRAn incredibly impactful collection, there's no doubt Time Is A Mother will strike a chord with most
—— Gay Times, *Books of the Year*A profound and accomplished collection
—— Dazed Digital, *Books to Look Out For 2022*Heartbreaking and perfect
—— White Review, *Books of the Year*A gorgeous, moving and awe-inspiring gathering of poems that feel like award-winning short films. These vignettes of loss, grief and love will take your breath away
—— Skinny, *Books of the Year*An indispensable collection
—— ArtReviewEntirely enjoyable, totally engrossing novel, Garmus' beautifully drawn characters, her polished, engaging prose and a hugely satisfying plot make for a glorious read.
Lessons In Chemistry is alight with warmth, wit and hard-won wisdom. Absolutely wonderful
Fast, funny and furious
—— DAILY EXPRESSOriginal and refreshing. Elizabeth Zott is one of those singular, unforgettable characters you don't come across enough in fiction. Witty and dark, it is both a breath of fresh air and a reminder of how much still has to change for true equality
—— PRESS ASSOCIATIONZott is a brilliantly realised character whom it's impossible not to love...[a] warm and addictive novel which cleverly and entertainingly unpacks the thorny questions around women's empowerment, the need to be true to oneself and why we should refuse to accept the limitations others try to impose on us. A triumph
—— DAILY MAILSmart, funny, big-hearted
—— SUNDAY TIMESA fabulous novel. Compelling, satisfying, a real page-turner
—— NINA STIBBEWitty, inspiring and a joy
—— I-NEWSPAPERFeminism is the catalyst that makes [Lessons in Chemistry] fizz like hydrochloric acid on limestone. Elizabeth Zott does not have 'moxie'; she has courage. She is not a 'girl boss' or a 'lady chemist'; she's a groundbreaker and an expert in abiogenesis. . . To file Elizabeth Zott among the pink razors of the book world is to miss the sharpness of Garmus's message. Lessons in Chemistry will make you wonder about all the real-life women born ahead of their time - women who were sidelined, ignored and worse because they weren't as resourceful, determined and lucky as Elizabeth Zott. She's a reminder of how far we've come, but also how far we still have to go
—— NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEWLessons in Chemistry is a breath of fresh air - a witty, propulsive, and refreshingly hopeful novel populated with singular characters. This book is an utter delight - wry, warm and compulsively readable
—— CLAIRE LOMBARDO, author of THE MOST FUN WE EVER HADA proper page turner which really made me giggle. It's so dry. The humour has a gorgeous lightness of touch. I really enjoyed it
—— STEVE WRIGHT, BBC RADIO TWO BOOK CLUBOriginal, fresh, tender, funny and warm. The story dances and swirls, captivating the reader from the first page. Elizabeth Zott is the most wonderful character. Just fantastic
—— SINEAD MORIARTYStrikingly relevant. . . Darkly funny and poignant. . . Lessons in Chemistry's excellent experiment is quirky and heartwarming
—— THE ATLANTICA funny, thought-provoking revenge story. Elizabeth Zott is ahead of her time. This is such a great book, everyone should read it!
—— SHAPARAK KHORSANDIGarmus has made feminism not just palpable, but delicious
—— I-NEWSA truly involving and uplifting book! Bonnie Garmus addresses serious topics with humour that is genuinely funny. I especially liked the dog. Mine only appears to know one word, which is 'supper', but there again she is a Labrador. I'm sure this is going to be a great success, and deserves to be
—— ANNE YOUNGSON, Costa Book Award-shortlisted author of MEET ME AT THE MUSEUMThis incredible novel has EVERYTHING - an unforgettable heroine, wry humour, love, family and bucketloads of optimism and female empowerment. It's WONDERFUL
—— HANNAH BECKERMANAn energetic debut ... A more adorable plea for rationalism and gender equality would be hard to find
—— KIRKUS (starred review)Bold, smart and often hilarious look at so-called women's work
—— REAL SIMPLE, USCharming and emboldening tale with a vintage sheen... A thoroughly entertaining and emboldened look at gender in the 1960s. A must read!
—— MAGIC RADIO, BOOK CLUB READGarmus delivers an assured voice, an indelible heroine and relatable love stories
—— WASHINGTON POSTElizabeth is a woman who challenges the norms of a woman in the 60s...her perseverance to succeed is enthralling. The fight to do what she really wants, and that alone, is one that'll have you rooting for her throughout
—— STYLISTIndefatigable and formidable, Elizabeth pushes the bounds of how women and their work are perceived in this thoroughly engaging debut novel
—— BOOKLISTA kicky debut, this book tackles feminism, resilience, and rationalism in a fun and refreshing way
—— BUZZFEEDEvery bit as brilliant as everyone is saying. Funny, clever, full of heart and wonderful characters. I loved it
—— A J PEARCEUnforgettable ... Elizabeth Zott is intelligent, fearless, determined and utterly inspiring
—— CULTUREFLYAn absolute delight. Zott is a cracking protagonist - strikingly single-minded, socially awkward, fiercely determined to forge her own path
—— FINANCIAL TIMES, Best Audio BooksWitty, fast-paced and unabashedly amusing' Lessons in Chemistry is 'written with charm, verve and piercing insight ... a future classic
—— LITERARY REVIEWThe best book I've read recently. I loved it
—— SARA COX, BBC 2 Between the CoversI loved it. You don't want to finish it. You don't want to put it down. It's wonderful to hear a voice that has total honesty and clarity. I love that Elizabeth Zott is funny and hasn't got a clue that she's funny
—— DEBORAH MEADEN, BBC 2 BETWEEN THE COVERSI loved everything about it. There were so many things I could relate to
—— STEPHEN BAILEY, BBC 2 BETWEEN THE COVERSi couldn't put it down. It was so easy to read: hilarious, heartfelt. With all of the issues that we are still dealing with right now. Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure
—— SUKH OJLALaugh-aloud funny, witty and provocative, LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY recreates the rampant sexism of America just before Betty Friedan's THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE and the bonfire of the bras
—— THE TIMES, audiobook of the weekA funny, big-hearted read
—— THE TIMES, Summer Reading ChoiceI adored this confident, witty portrait of an unforgettable woman and her time
—— DAILY MAIL, Summer reading recommendationsOne of the smartest and funniest novels to appear this year
—— THE NEW EUROPEANWe guarantee you will love this charming debut
—— HELLO MAGAZINEThis smart, uproarious, emotional page-turner...has been the year's runaway hit. Rightly so
—— SUNDAY TIMES, Books of the YearIrresistible, a gorgeous tribute to resilience and the many types of love that sustain us
—— OPRAH DAILYSharp and deliciously readable. Brings bite as well as charm to the tale of a super-rational scientist navigating sexism in early 60s America.
—— GUARDIAN, Books of the YearThe idiosyncratic wit of this year's blockbuster debut is instantly appealing, but it's also a narrative with real bite. Uplifting and irresistibly zany
—— THE MAIL, Books of the YearI fell for Elizabeth Zott immediately. A wonderfully entertaining and empowering read
—— GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, Books of the YearA wonderful novel - polished, pacy, funny, witty, warm, life-affirming, and thought-provoking
—— SUNDAY MAIL, SCOTLANDWitty and sometimes hilarious. The CATCH-22 of early feminism
—— STEPHEN KINGEnchanting, clever, funny and packed with deeply engaging characters. I still think about it a lot
—— INDIA KNIGHT's Book of the Year, SUNDAY TIMESAs with all the best stories, there is a timelessness to this book. One senses it will be read in ten or twenty years' time
—— IRISH TIMESBiting and cheering in exactly the right measure
—— JOJO MOYESThe TV cook bit hooked me right in and it did not disappoint. This book is Charming, witty and clever
—— NADIYA HUSSAIN






