Felix Holt, The Radical Audiobook By George Eliot cover art

Felix Holt, The Radical

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Felix Holt, The Radical

By: George Eliot
Narrated by: Nadia May
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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 Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political World Literature Thought-Provoking

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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Rich Characters • Complex Storyline • Engaging Historical Fiction • Beautiful Language • Satisfying Ending • Good Voices
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Both the writing and the narration are superb for the literary classic. The account of 19th century England is delightful.

Classic literature

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one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. I wish I had discovered this amazing author earlier. I actually read some of her books some years ago. only now do I really appreciate her.

insight and depth; no gratuitous sex or violence

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A wonderful story, made so much easier to appreciate by a remarkable performer. The soaring glory of the English language at its finest.

A great, moral tale.

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This classic novel dives into the ordinary lives of several intersecting families in an English country town over the course of an election to Parliament. During the election, will the candidate’s mother’s terrible secret come out? Will Esther abandon her stepfather when she discovers the truth about her heritage? Will Felix Holt be deported for a crime he didn’t intend?
While I greatly enjoyed this book, Elliot is always a little bit of a stressful read for me. Her people seem so real, with real virtues and flaws and always encounter some event that while it may not be realistic itself is realistically stressful to all those in the plot. I recommend this book to anyone who has a taste for classic English literature, or the history of the church or politics in England.

Riches or Morals? Which will she choose?

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Felix is not a five, but better than a four. I found Eliot's Middlemarsh, Daniel Deronda, and Adam Bede to be more satisfying reads all round. Like Adam Bede, Felix Holt starts with a great deal of exposition that might put off some listeners --but If you like 19th century British lit and/or social history - or even engaging characters and action in "historical fiction" this (once you are past the opening exposition), is very satisfying. I think it much stronger as a novel and more engaging than Bronte's Shirley, for ex.

If you are new to Eliot, then think Austen meets all the Bronte sisters with a touch of Dickens, and a good bit more implicit feminism.

four and a half stars

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Wonderful characters, moving circumstances, and the use of language I’ve come to love. Loved the narrator.

George Eliot at her finest

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Very pleasant narrative. Brings us back to the early 19th century countryside in England. Great insight into the social structure and preoccupations of the people at that time. It is amusing to see that the heroine was motivated only by love and the highest moral principles. Very little frivolity and zero hormonal distractions kept her perfectly pure. Unfortunately I believe real life is pretty far removed from the authors skillfully crafted construction.

Excellent book

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Loved the characters and the process by which they evolve. Love helps them all to grow.

All you need is love

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Interesting perspectives on that period of history but George Eliot’s female characters really disappoint me. The sexism is just boring at a certain point. I think Middlemarch was a little better but Daniel Deronda is just as bad if not worse. And you can’t blame her era because other female authors from this period and before were able to write much more multidimensional, interesting, and intelligent female characters. It makes you wonder to what extent this was ingrained sexism in her vs an attempt to appeal to her audience. It diminishes her male characters too, though.

Story was a disappointment

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This one is more dated than some others- and characters are less absorbing to me. Still, it’s Eliot and worth the listen but story is just not on par with Middlemarch or Silas Marner

Not my favorite Eliot

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