Two On A Tower


Lu par Tadhg

(4.4 stars; 93 reviews)

The plot concerns two – literally star-crossed – lovers: Swithin St. Cleeve, a very young amateur astronomer, and Viviette Constantine, an unhappily married and abandoned woman 8 or 9 years his senior. Each night Swithin climbs the old tower of the title, in the grounds of the Constantine estate. Lady Constantine, whose husband has been absent some years on an extended hunting and exploring journey to Africa, joins the young man in his stargazing, and supports his astronomical ambitions by buying him equipment, though his dreams of scientific renown are disappointed. Their relationship then deepens and takes several twists and turns.(Summary by Tadhg) (9 hr 15 min)

Chapitres

Preface 2:54 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 01 22:01 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 02 17:17 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 03 8:59 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 04 21:28 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 05 13:48 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 06 12:22 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 07 13:46 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 08 12:46 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 09 14:47 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 10 8:12 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 11 7:35 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 12 12:12 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 13 11:33 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 14 14:52 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 15 13:24 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 16 13:49 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 17 8:00 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 18 15:02 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 19 17:33 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 20 6:58 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 21 8:39 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 22 13:20 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 23 10:57 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 24 9:30 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 25 15:10 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 26 9:33 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 27 13:42 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 28 17:38 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 29 10:22 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 30 13:37 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 31 7:48 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 32 13:05 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 33 10:36 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 34 16:31 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 35 18:10 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 36 12:08 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 37 11:32 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 38 16:45 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 39 16:11 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 40 12:55 Lu par Tadhg
Chapter 41 27:58 Lu par Tadhg

Critiques

Suffocating social restriction set against the vastness of space


(4 stars)

Excellent reader! the story creates a suffocating portrayal of life in late Victorian England, limited by social convention and frightened by appearance. As always in Hardy's work the inequality of women is stark, although this is a less sympathetic and more stereotypical few than that expressed in some of his books. The ending is depressing rather than sad, and entirely unbelievable! Indeed the ending lets both the story and the characters down. Still the reading was wonderful!

Terrific Story and Reading


(5 stars)

What a brilliant writer! I enjoyed the scientific aspects of the tale. Once again, as so many stories from this period, so much sexual repression, religious moral guilt, shame, and controlling arrogance. It helps me appreciate the openness of thepresent times, and view the realities of that period, which one may romanticize. The story has a number of twists that kept me interested. Thank you for the wonderful reading.

Evocative story read by Tadhg Hynes


(3 stars)

Sorry to report that I feel that this novella is rather light weight, especially for Thomas Hardy. I don't feel that the characters were developed enough, nor was the story as a whole at all exceptional due to its lack of depth. Nonetheless, the talented Tadhg Hynes lends his well recognised, pleasantly timbered voice and brogue as narrator, whom I rate with FIVE STARS.

Thank you Tadhg


(5 stars)

Tadhg read Hardy's brilliant writing really well. I was captivated until the end. Thank you A super story of two lovers with twists and turns and cliff hanging chapters with very near misses. It is such fabulous writing. I had to stop often to take a note of what had been written because I was so captivated with the descriptions and the messages.

Excellent reading of Hardy classic


(5 stars)

Beautiful variation on Hardy's theme of the rural character who has aspirations beyond his/her station. Tadhg's smooth delivery and Irish accent are well suited to this story of love lost, gained, and ... well, it's Thomas Hardy so don't expect a happy-ever-after ending. Well done indeed, Tadhg! More please. TheBookworm (Manchester, UK)

Not Hardy’s best


(4 stars)

I love Thomas Hardy books, but this is not my favorite of them. It is kind of a light story, has some interesting twist and turns, but has nothing near the sweep and imagination of some of his other work. The ending is just a disappointing thud. The narrator is great as usual.

great reader, not-great book


(3 stars)

First, any reading by Tadhg Hynes is exceptional. The book starts put like it's going to be a study of class in Victorian England but turns into a soap opera in which the hero and heroine are perpetually almost getting caught.

Sad


(3 stars)

The book is very well narrated and I enjoyed most of it however out of all the possible endings the author picked the most depressing and cruel one possible. So sad and empty. I’m quite disappointed I listened to it.