The Return of the Native (version 2 dramatic reading)

Author(s): Thomas Hardy

Genre(s): Dramatic Readings, General Fiction

Narrators: Group

Number of Chapters: 49

Length: 15 hours and 02 minutes

Language: English

Clym Yeobright returns home to Egdon Heath, a scattered collection of houses on the isolated Wessex moors, and is caught up in a "love pentagon" which includes: his cousin, Thomasin Yeobright; the shadowy inn-keeper, Damon Wildeve; the controversial and romantic Eustacia Vye; and the mysterious reddleman, Diggory Venn, whose skin is stained completely red from his work. This work has all the well-known marks of Thomas Hardy: the Wessex landscape, a choice of lovers, a wedding gone wrong, a particularly shy 30-something man, and a woman with an independent spirit. But, The Return of the Native is unique in its pagan undertones - the first five books take place over a year and a day, starting on All Hallow's Eve, and hints of magic and witchcraft. (Summary by Libby Gohn)

Characters:

Narrator: Bob Neufeld
Clym Yeobright: Tadhg
Eustacia Vye: Amanda Friday
Damon Wildeve: Chris Cartwright
Thomasin Yeobright: Rapunzelina
Diggory Venn: Chuck Williamson
Mrs. Yeobright: Michele Eaton
Grandfer Cantle and "Saint George": alanmapstone
Timothy Fairway: tovarisch
Humphrey, Bonfire Boy, Party Guest, Raffle Woman, Inn Girl and Rachel: Elizabeth Klett
Olly Dowden and Charley: Charlotte Duckett
Susan Nunsuch: Beth Thomas
Christian Cantle: TriciaG
Sam: ToddHW
Captain Vye,"Doctor", Driver, and Pedlar: Patti Cunningham
Johnny Nunsuch: CaprishaPage
Vye Servant and"Saracen": Libby Gohn
"Father Christmas": David Olson
"Valiant Soldier": Kristingj
Chapman and Surgeon: Karen Savage
Nurse: Availle