‘Return of the Native’s’ Real Story May Be Rickman

Sometimes the best reason to choose an audio book is not for the genre or the author but for the reader. One could do no better than Alan Rickman narrating Thomas Hardy’s “The Return of the Native” (Cover to Cover, unabridged fiction, 12 cassettes; 15 hours, 45 minutes; $44.95).

Written in 1878, this tragic romantic melodrama takes place on Egdon Heath in the fictional southwestern English county of Wessex. It is an evocative example of Hardy’s naturalistic view of man’s inability to control his destiny in this cold, cruel world. When Eustacia Vye marries Clym Yeobright for all the wrong reasons, she sets off a chain of events that end in dire consequences. As read by Rickman, those consequences come to life with palpable pain.

Rickman is, simply put, just yummy. He has one of those deep, sensuous voices that could bring the telephone book to life. A consummate performer, he captures the sensuality between two lovers, the seduction in their talk and the longing in their words. He glides into the commanding tone of a patrician, sings bawdy songs and conjures up several rural accents. Although he does not alter his voice for women, he does deliver the coquetry used to great advantage by several of Hardy’s female characters.

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Another English actor who could sell an audio simply on the power of his performance is Stephen Fry. In fact, his performance is much more consistent than the material in Oscar Wilde’s “De Profundis” and “The Ballad of Reading Gaol” (Dove Audio, unabridged fiction, four cassettes, five hours, $20).

“The Ballad of Reading Gaol” is an emotional and brilliantly written poem penned by Wilde after his release from prison for homosexual acts in 1895. “De Profundis,” which constitutes the bulk of this audio book, is another matter. The title means “out of the depths,” and is, at its most basic, a wordy, angry lament against the lover who let Wilde rot in jail. It does contain illuminating flashes of insight and an astute understanding of human nature. That said, much of it remains a laundry list of complaints that become tiresome by the second or third hour.

The production begins and ends with somber music that underscores the bitter sadness of Wilde’s words. Fry, who played the title role in the film “Wilde,” easily picks up on that mood and confidently conveys its deep and moving emotion. His voice is mellifluous, smooth, well-trained. The actor greatly understands both the language and its meaning, and expresses that knowledge with remarkable ease. His diction and pronunciation are superior to that of most narrators. In the hands of a lesser performer, “De Profundis” would have been mere vitriol. In the hands of this actor, “The Ballad Of Reading Gaol” alone is worth the cost of this audio book.

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If you are in the mood for something lighter, think of Kathleen Turner reading Elizabeth Peters’ frothy mystery, “Trojan Gold” (Airplay, unabridged fiction, six cassettes, nine hours, $28.95). Turner, you will discover, is always good for a laugh.

One of Peters’ earlier works, it features that spirited art historian-cum-sleuth, Vicky Bliss. When our intrepid heroine receives a blood-stained envelope in the mail, she immediately embarks on a rollicking adventure and a complicated series of romantic encounters. Witty barbs and silly escapades abound in this fast-paced bit of fluff as she combs Europe for the long missing Gold of Troy. Turner, with her husky voice and spirited narration, delivers Peters’ wit and waggery with a flourish. A quick reader, she brings much energy to the story.

The story is set in Europe, and many of the accents are Germanic. Turner offers an array of vocal characterizations, each a variation on that Bavarian theme, and does a fine job of maintaining individuality among the players. In her last outing as the brave Ms. Bliss, Turner’s only flaw was an annoying breathiness. Readers will be relieved to know that she has greatly curbed that tendency, and her sassy performance is a hell of a lot of fun.

Rochelle O’Gorman reviews audio books every other week. Next week: Margo Kaufman on mystery books.

For more reviews, read Sunday Book Review

* This Sunday: Saul Friedlander, Frederic Morton, Peter Hoffmann and Klaus Fischer revisit the Third Reich.

Plus Eugen Weber on Elmore Leonard’s “Be Cool.”