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Felix Holt, The Radical
- Narrated by: Nadia May
- Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins
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Summary
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.
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- Ian
- 08-07-13
Mixed feelings
I listened to this book after thoroughly enjoying Middlemarch and I am not so enthusiastic about this. There is still Eliot's enjoyable humour and her fantastic descriptions of nineteenth century life.
However, my main problem was that I did not like Felix Holt or Harold Transome. Part of me is glad about this but at other times I found it hard to engage with these characters. We were promised so much mystery surrounding Harold that was never delivered upon.
The story is set around the Reform Act of 1832 and the book is a great way of looking at social tensions around at that time however, some, like me, may find that there is a little too much detail on this front.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Shirley
- 08-02-22
Too difficult to understand
Please can I return this book.
I have tried hard to follow the story however, I have found it too difficult to comprehend
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1 person found this helpful
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- Lisa
- 28-09-21
to many characters
boring I gave up on it, no story to take hold of very disappointing
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1 person found this helpful
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- Viz
- 22-01-24
Radical is as Radical Does!
Dickens, Trollope and here, George Eliot, along with all history, records how society gets itself into a state of unrest which gets out of control. One group thinks they have the right over another group - the basis of oppression and war, in fact.
Always have done, always will do, till the 'end cometh'!
I so love George Eliot's writings centred in England, did not appreciate the Italianate 'Romola'.
I think one of the reasons is the way she could put over a dispassionate view of her own sex. She was no unscriptural Feminist, in my opinion, but naturally lived to her optimum, without the 'down with men' attitude - no bias, just objective summing up of some of the unlovely traits of some women who would normally be the heroine: "Her women's love of conquest"
The first lone dialogue between Felix and Esther was quite wonderful especially Felix's opinion of women: "All life is stunted to suit their littleness" That is the kind of concise profundity that I have often tried to express when I speak of the Matriarchy. [I'm being objective here, I know how dissatisfied I have been with my own female carryings on, down the years!]
Such a wonderful writer, was George Eliot, others of that era, often devolved into some 'Sensationlist' writing, but Ms Eliot was always wonderful.
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- Tarnya
- 24-09-23
Subtle and powerful story of a female heroine
Little know among her work, this is a great story by one of the 19th century best novelists which stays with you and builds in intensity. It’s a long book, but it’s a hymn to female self discovery at a time women were ‘property’, so it’s worth it.
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- charlie
- 24-08-23
Brilliant
I loved this! Story is wonderful: such intricate plotting, so lightly conveyed; great narrator; fascinating historical context. Brilliantly read and very enjoyable to listen to.
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- A. C. McCrea
- 12-08-23
Fresh voice of a radical
George Eliot’s writing is particularly brilliant in this novel. It is so refreshing to read a 19th century novel that does not praise riches but cares for people, justice, community and place. Felix Holt is a wonderful, refreshing and inspiring character to be admired. Esther Lions has a wonderful character growth curve. The novel is full of interesting characters and stories. Praise the radical!
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- Enobarbus
- 06-08-23
One of our greatest novels, superbly read.
"Felix Holt" is the greatest English novel most people have never read. Unjustly overshadowed by "Middlemarch" it connects that masterpiece with "Silas Marner". All three books show a masterly sureness of technique, characterisation and grasp of a moral theme unmatched in English literature. A budding novelist could learn more from "Felix Holt" than from a thousand Mills and Boons. Had se died in 1868, we'd all hail "Felix Holt" as her masterpiece.
The story suffers, excessively, from its reputation of having an over-complicated plot. But no other mechanism could easily have accommodated all the themes of this most Radical of novels: no less than a rejection or rather a remodelling of the Cinderella myth which, in its crudest rags-to-riches form, shapes most Romantic fiction. Boldly, George Eliot asserts, demonstrates that wealth cannot be the path to genuine happiness: if one person is rich it can only be because the majority is poor. Felix and her author are quite clear that service, working for the good of all, but especially for the unglamorous and underprivileged, is our human obligation, and, by far, the greatest possible human reward ¬– a theme explored in the moral fable, "Silas Marner", and here presented in a ‘realistic’ novel.
This is a book for the thinking reader: George Eliot treats us as adults, explores the big issues boldly and shrewdly, we read not to escape into Never Never Land but to extend our human sympathies and understanding of ourselves. "Middlemarch" works on a larger canvas but in terms of the Marriage Debate "Felix Holt" is perhaps our bravest and most challenging novel. The alert and witty reading makes the experience a perpetual delight. Especially second time through!
The most bewildering chapter is the Introduction. Best skipped until you have read the whole work. Then it makes sense!
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- Anonymous User
- 27-05-23
Poor narration
Fascinating insight into the political changes in Britain at the time of the Reform act. Wince-making female characters who deem men to be superior. Written in the 1860s so in line with those times. Glad to be alive now not then. The narrator wasn’t great and just seemed to read vast tranches with no proper understanding of the meanings contained therein.
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- Norfolk Bookworm
- 11-02-23
What a gem! Nadia May's reading was extraordinary
If you enjoy George Elliot's flowery and loquacious19th century style and her books like Middlemarch you'll love this massive tome.
Definitely one for audio as I think the length and weight would be off-putting to lug about. Also Nadia May's narration and voice variations introduce an additional layer of light and shade which enhances Elliot's exquisite words.
I even enjoyed catching the great writer out just the once when she confused infer and imply. Somehow it humanised her brilliance!
Go for if you have the stamina! And, if that isn't enough George Eliot for you, I also loved another of her little known novels Daniel Deronda.
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