The Well of Loneliness

By: Radclyffe Hall

Narrated by: Ell Potter

Length: 18 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

The Well of Loneliness will go down in history as one of the world’s first published novels to depict a lesbian relationship.

After publication in 1928, it was banned for obscenity before going on to become an international best seller.

It tells the story of Stephen Gordon, an Englishwoman from an upper-class family who is ostracised for falling in love with another woman, Mary Llewellyn.

Groundbreaking in its day, Radclyffe Hall’s novel ultimately makes a very clear plea in regards to homosexuality: 'Give us also the right to our existence'.

In this exclusive production, Audible’s breakout star Ell Potter (Winter Dark, Winter Rising) breathes new life into the classic novel.

Public Domain (P)2020 Audible, Ltd

Sad

This is the Saddest book I’ve ever heard…
Very gay and very sad
Really almost depressing

A TIMELESS CLASSIC!

Imagine growing up wanting to do everything society says you can't do and then, finding that there's no one else like you. Imagine living your entire life being truly loved by only one person and having only one true friend. As Stephen grows and learns in life, she is constantly gawked at for her androgynous look, which is weirdly appealing to some.

Stephen ultimately lives a pretty full life. She travels, fights in the war, falls in love, writes books and discovers that there are lots more people just like her. She has money and status but none of it comes without heartache, loss, and being ostracized from the only place she'd ever called home. Stephen takes it all in and is in utter disbelief that God would create her in such a way, that she and those like her are treated so cruelly by society. Her stance is bold, "We exist. Like everyone else, we were made by nature. Therefore we are natural."

This was a really great coming of age story and it truly highlights the struggles that homosexuals faced during that time period. We watch a baby grow into a woman who wants nothing more than to live her life freely being herself, doing as she pleases with her life and fosters no ill will towards anyone. However, because of the way she was created, she will never fully be accepted no matter what she does. The sad reality is, things aren't much different today.

Excellent in every way

I loved every minute of this book. it's truly amazing when you think of when it was written. one thing in particular I really enjoyed was the way the author created the animals in the story as equal to, or even Superior to, the humans. I am a straight woman, and I absolutely loved the way this book provided deeply compassionate, profound insight into the unique trials and challenges homosexuality in our society.

Brought to life by Ell Potter

Ell Potter's voice gives this amazing, groundbreaking book a louder voice. Amazing , I couldn't stop listening.

The Well of Loneliness

It's a Masterpiece! I'm just sorry it had ended that way and society won. I'm a bit angry about it, but I guess It was to be expected. Great book! Not for you if you're expecting a happy ending

a classic marvel matched w the perfect narrator b

such a beautifully written book, it evoked so much emotion. andthe narrator? OMG perfect!

More Ell Potter as narrator!

Ell Potter has a wonderful soothing voice- but also can do so many different characters! Are you sure there were not more actors ? The American woman Val sounds like an entirely different person! The story was a bit long and maybe slow in places , but used the time to develop the characters. I cried over Raftery! This book was written how long ago ? Yet still so relevant and I could relate to Stephen’s struggles even as a hetero woman of a certain age ! Very enjoyable listening!

Queer/Trans & Philosophical

I loved it with every fiber of my being. It is weird to me that this is seen as lesbian literature (as a queer woman myself) because Stephen was so very clearly trans male or something in the like. I mean bro was whole ass like “I want to be a boy like in the painting and I’ve never seen myself as a girl and I love women the way men do” like bro??? That’s not a lesbian pov. This dude is a dude, periodt 😌💅

couldn’t stop listening

narrator does an excellent job bringing this text to life. i did not want it to come to an end. thank you.

Depressing, but nevertheless an interesting piece of history

Beautiful narration. The story was intriguing and I found the romance to be quite beautiful, but I was deeply unhappy with the ending. I felt that one character's personality and values changed completely at the very end, and thus the conclusion was unexpected and left me completely miserable (though I understand the point Radclyffe Hall was trying to make with it).