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Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Nov 21, 2025 2:30 PM

Author:Thomas Hardy

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

An exciting new TV adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic Tess of the D'Urbervilles has arrived on BBC 1, and this is the official tie-in edition with an exclusive introduction from the programme's producer David Snodin.

A tragic tale of love, seduction and betrayal,Tess of the D'Urbervilles was named the nation's 12th favourite book in a poll for World Book Day in 2007 and 2008 marks the 80th anniversary of the death of Thomas Hardy.

This new four-part series has been written by award-winning novelist and screenwriter David Nicholls. David wrote Starter for Ten, which he then adapted to film starring James McAvoy, as well as the screenplay of And When Did You Last See Your Father? starring Jim Broadbent and Colin Firth.

Tess of the D'Urbervilles has a stellar cast with big-screen names and familiar faces from a number major TV dramas including Gemma Arterton (James Bond: Quantum Of Solace, St Trinian's) playing Tess, Hans Matheson (The Virgin Queen, Dr Zhivago) as her seducer Alec, Eddie Redmayne (Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Other Boleyn Girl) as Angel and Jodie Whittaker (Venus) playing Tess's best friend Izzy. The drama also features Ruth Jones (Gavin and Stacey, Saxondale) as Tess's mother Joan, and Anna Massey (Oliver Twist, The Importance Of Being Earnest) as Mrs D'Urberville.

Reviews

The work of a genuine artist

—— Julian Barnes

Nemirovsky has a great gift for describing the ordinariness that surrounds catastrophes... it is this ability to conjure up people, in all their moods and foibles, their selflessness or vanity, that makes Suite Francaise so remarkable

—— Literary Review

Wilson tells a story of laughter, love, tears, and trouble in this hilarious tale.

—— The Good Book Guide

Funny and enjoyable.

—— Lincolnshire Echo

Shortlisted for Lincolnshire Young People's Book Award in 9 - 11 years category

—— Lincolnshire Echo

Read it. I'm sure you'll love it.

—— Reading Matters

A charming, funny and touching story.

—— ni4kids (Ireland)

A really interesting book with something in it for everyone.

—— Newcastle Upon Tyne Evening Chronicle

Short review

—— S

A love story (or rather several love stories), an oblique and engrossing mystery, but above all a story about language and its limitations

—— Sunday Telegraph

Ambitious and compelling

—— Sunday Times

In his latest novel, Parks demonstrates a seemingly effortless mastery of biochemistry...a fast paced thriller with sex and relationships at its heart

—— Jane Housham , The Guardian Saturday Review

Entirely convincing. He is a highly skilful writer and this is an absorbing story

—— Nick Rennison , Sunday Times

Parks competently handles the themes of secrecy and communication

—— Heather McRobie , Telegraph

This is Pratchett operating at the peak of his powers. Nation's often very funny, the characters are adorable, the plot intriguing... Nation is wryly hilarious throughout.

—— DeathRay

It's a wonderful story, by turns harrowing and triumphant, and Mau and Daphne are tremendously appealing characters. It's a book that can be read with great pleasure by young readers-and not a few of their parents, I suspect-as both a high-spirited yarn and a subtle examination of the risks and virtues of faith.

—— The New York Times

Gr 7-10-A tsunami has hit Mau's island home and washed away everyone he has known. Daphne is from the other side of the globe and is the sole survivor (or so she thinks) of a shipwreck on the island. The two come together and each of them brings wisdom, intelligence, and sense of humanity to their dire situation. An absorbing novel of survival and discovery liberally infused with Pratchett's trademark wit.

—— The School Library Journal

This culture clash comedy gives way to growing understanding and there is much to ponder on the merits of faith and tradition.

—— Wolverhampton Chronicle

... a unique, exhilarating tour de force

—— School Librarian

... a very funny and well-written story. The characters and plot are both imaginative and thought-provoking.

—— Calum Turner, Lochgilphead High , Teen Titles

A South Seas island adventure with an assured comic edge from Pratchett... This culture clash comedy gives way to growing understanding and there is much to ponder on the merits of faith and tradition.

—— Wolverhampton Chronicle

I think this is - just possibly -the best book Pratchett has ever written.

—— Michelle West , Fantasy and Science Fiction

This is a novel for all ages from (say) 11 to (say) 90, and its narrative exuberance will lure its younger readers to 'strange seas of thought'.

—— School Library Association

Pratchett writing at the height of his powers.

—— Carousel

A serious work, but one written with humour and a lightness of touch that embraces big questions...it is a book about the faith of our times.

—— INIS

Terry Pratchett's use of language here is funny and exciting. This book delivers adventure, philosophy and satire. Pratchett has written of a very different world from his Discworld series. This is one of the cleverest novels I have read in years.

—— Newsademic.com

Nation is a modern tale of enlightenment that can be enjoyed by teenagers and aduls alike. An exceptional read, highly recommended.

—— Joesphine Brady , Classroom (NATE)

An ebullient and entertaining novel of ideas.

—— Julia Eccleshare , The Guardian

Nation, published in 2008 (this year's award catchment runs from August 2008-September 2009), is an extraordinarily complicated tale about God, tradition and loss. Yet it is told with beautiful simplicity and rollicking readability.

—— Andrew Johnson , The Independent

Funny and profound, Nation is much more than an adventure story, pitting reason against religion and offering an alternative perspective on world history and culture.

—— Time Out

As Pratchett says: "Thinking. This book contains some. Whether you try it at home is up to you." His wit is on every page; his world surpasses ours, his writing is weird and wonderful. No, weirdly wonderful. It is gripping but put the book down to ponder the thoughts inside to unearth a parallel universe. Terry Pratchett is worth more than his idiom; his teachings contain more philosophical thought than I would have ever thought possible.

—— Sian Reilly (aged 13) , Sunday Express
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