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Felix Holt, The Radical

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Felix Holt, The Radical

By: George Eliot
Narrated by: Nadia May
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About this listen

 Relinquishing thoughts of a materially rewarding life, the respectably educated Felix Holt returns to his native village in North Loamshire and becomes an artisan. He is a forceful young man of honor, integrity, and idealism, burning to participate in political life so that he may improve the lot of his fellow artisans.

Contrasted with Felix Holt is the intelligent, economically secure Harold Transome, just returned from the East to assume responsibility for Transome Court, his inherited manor home, and to take a seat in Parliament.

Both men vie for the hand of Esther, a young woman of charm and virtue, who must choose between a life of idealism and a life of refinement.

The narrative is enhanced by plot twists involving illegitimacy and lines of inheritances, as well as by Eliot's vivid character studies, including the corrupt political agent Johnson; Harold Transome's mother, with her fears of a secret being revealed; and the loyal servant Denner.

(P)1999 Blackstone Audio Inc. Classics European Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political World Literature

Critic Reviews

"George Eliot's work places great importance on setting...much background is provided to make the 19th-century love triangle come alive. Narrator Nadia May fills the listener in with brisk, breathless cadences, breezing through the lengthy descriptions like a lovable neighborhood gossip. Her crisp accent, pauses between sentences, and mastery of tone help the listener understand the predicament of Esther Lyon....As she reads the text, May seems to be enjoying it herself, which enables the listener to do the same." (AudioFile)
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I found this played better at .9 speed, otherwise a bit quick for the nuance and detail. Not as engaging a book to read as other Eliot - being so overtly, almost didactically, political, but it really does make a good listen. Worth a go.

Satisfying

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This really does an under-rated Eliot gem justice - which is high praise indeed. A perfect story for our times.

Just beautiful in every way

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I love George Eliot, and this is the last of all her novels that I've read (or listened to, in this case.) I love her nuanced characters, although Esther and Felix were not the most developed of Eliot's protagonists. The juxtapositioning of different social and political personalities felt more contrived than in some of her other novels and the ending failed to surprise, although a happy ending is always nice, and never to be taken for granted with Eliot. The performance was very good, apart from one confusing Scotch accent. Overall, I enjoyed the plot, and the social/political/religious commentary that Eliot is always so astute about.

interesting

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Good old story telling with a humorous gleam in the eye.
She has a delightful dig at all classes.

No wonder it’s a classic

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Typical slow burn for George Eliot. A glorious method to steep yourself in another world of another time. Beautiful portraits of people.

Wonderful.

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It took me while to adjust to the lady’s voice but then I got into the story and it was entertaining. Very old fashioned relationship between men and women but at least Esther is strong will.

Old classic.

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