A Classic Pair: Tess of the D'Urbevilles & Lady Chatterley's Lover brings together two iconic British writers from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: Thomas Hardy and D. H. Lawrence. Famed for their brazen explorations of love and sexuality in their works, which challenged contemporary social norms, both authors were fiercely critical of society's rigid conventions. In this classic pair, delve into worlds of unmet desire, unexpected connections and ironically tragic fates in writing that resonates still today.

The titles included in this collection, in order of appearance, are:

Tess of the D'Urbevilles by Thomas Hardy, read by Olivia Dowd

A profoundly moving tale of moral hypocrisy, Hardy's masterpiece follows the life of titular character, Tess Durbeyfield, the daughter of a poor village haggler. When a local parson informs her that she could be related to the ancient Norman D'Urbeville family, Tess discovers several new open doors – and their subsequent consequences. Drawn into a world of ambition, desire and unforgiving social rules, Tess struggles to hold onto her dignity as others try to shape her destiny. While a new love finally offers her hope, her past shadows threaten everything she yearns for… Labelled as immoral and pessimistic at the time of its publication in 1891, Tess of the D'Urbevilles has become one of Hardy's most celebrated works, and continues to be read and adapted for both the stage and the screen today. It remains a gripping and heartbreaking portrait of one woman's courage in a society determined to break her.

Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawrence, read by Emma Gregory

Constance Reid, otherwise known as Lady Chatterley, lives in a world of refinement, duty and emotional emptiness – not at all what she imagined for herself as a young intellectual and progressive. Married to Sir Clifford Chatterley, a wealthy but cold and materialistic man, Constance is unable to receive the intimacy or warmth she craves. Enter Oliver Mellors, Chatterley estate's reclusive and stoic gamekeeper, whose presence in Constance's life catalyses a powerful connection that defies class, convention and society's rigid expectations. As their passionate relationship awakens Constance to her own desires and independence, she must make a choice between the comfort of her privileged life, and the dream of living true to herself. D. H. Lawrence's final novel, Lady Chatterley's Lover remains a bold exploration of love, freedom and the cost of breaking the rules.

This audiobook is fully indexed. Once downloaded, each book and chapter will be listed so you can easily navigate to the individual section.

Thomas Hardy (1840 – 1928) was an English poet and novelist. Heavily influenced by the Romantic and Victorian Realist movements, his writing is characterised by evocative language, rich imagery and innovative narrative structures. Hardy was socially conscious and highly critical of Victorian society, often using his writing to depict the lives of people living in deprived rural areas of England.

David Herbert Lawrence (1885 – 1930) was a British novelist, poet and literary critic. He is renowned for his bold explorations of love and sex in his writing, often challenging the conventions of early twentieth century society and culminating in a controversial reputation. Today, he is considered a key figurehead in modernist literature.