Daniel Deronda

By: George Eliot

Narrated by: Nadia May

Length: 30 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

One of the masterpieces of English fiction, Daniel Deronda tells the intertwined stories of two characters as they each come to discover the truth of their natures.

Gwendolen Harleth is the beautiful, high-spirited daughter of an impoverished upper-class family. In order to restore their fortunes, she unwittingly traps herself in an oppressive marriage. Humbled, she turns for solace and guidance to Daniel Deronda, the high-minded adopted son of an aristocratic Englishman. But when Deronda, who is searching for his path in life, rescues a poor Jewish girl from drowning, he discovers a world of Jewish experience previously unknown to him, and to the Victorian novel. Dismayed by the anti-Semitism around him, the tragedy of the lovely Gwendolen begins to fade for Deronda. When he finally uncovers the long-hidden secret of his own parentage, he must confront his true identity and destiny.

(P)1997 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Nadia May meets the strenuous demands of Eliot's narration with easy assurance." (Library Journal)
"Daniel Deronda is a startling and unexpected novel....It is a cosmic myth, a world history, and a morality play." (A.S. Byatt)

An intense novel with a few flaws

A wonderful reading by Nadia May of George Eliot's complex novel. For me, this was a far more absorbing and emotionally resonant tale than "Middlemarch"; Eliot's ability to portray the London Jewish community sympathetically seems unique among Victorian authors, at least the ones I've read. That portrayal is not just sympathetic but (at times) immersive: this is no cursory glance but a deep exploration. I can't quite give it five stars though, for two reasons: one is that Eliot's writing tends to be humorless, even though her characters are brilliantly drawn; and May, even though she gives wonderful voice to those characters, can't make up her mind how to pronounce the name "Mordecai."

If you liked "Middlemarch," this one is certainly worth listening to. If you didn't, the greater dramatic intensity in this novel may still be worth a try.

Daniel D

A tale of triumph and tragedy skillfully told in the style of bygone years. If you enjoy classics, you'll want to listen. A bit long winded in several areas. Deronda appeals to the reader.

Compelling and brilliantly narrated

I had long heard of Daniel Deronda and kind of given up hope of ever reading it. But a two-hour commute each way to work made this a wonderful companion. Deep, compelling, and filled with fascinating characters, the novel is a melodrama with philosophical and religious depths. Called a "controversial novel," because of the author's ability to show the Jewish community of the 19th century in a tolerant and non-stereotypical way (in a culture, or, perhaps, a world in which stereotypes did---and do---abound), Eliot shows what is unique, human, and sometimes ignorant and insensitive in individuals, no matter their culture or religion. Nadia May's wondrous narration is truly a joy. She captures the core of each character, and her Italian, French, and German seems on the mark (although her pronunciation of Mordechai is not). She has renewed my interest in Eliot and I will surely continue to purchase books that she has narrated.

Nadia May reading is superb

After reading/listening to Middlemarch and Adam Bede, I embarked on the 4 volume Deronda. I was happy that I enlisted Nadia May whose spectacular voice rendition of charcters pulled me through all 4 volumes. I enjoyed it all and was particularly captivated by the ugly experience of British prejudice so prevalent in cultured British society. The love story as with all George Eliot's books was tender and romantic.

Better than Middlemarch

Excellent novel. I liked it better than Middlemarch. Middlemarch had a very good description of two bad marriages, and the way that such marriages can ruin a person's idealism, but it confined itself to "small" and provincial lives. This one had a larger scale and more sweeping implications.

Daniel Deronda has two intertwining stories of Daniel and Gwendolen. Gwendolen's story is very Jane Austen like at first, with a lively, spirited girl navigating a meat market type of marriage circuit. But it turns into something darker and more interesting by showing the misery of marrying for money, as well as the remarkable constraint that merely being part of "polite society" can incur. Daniel's story is one of a search for identity and purpose, as he first rescues a Jewish girl and then falls in with her Zionist brother.

Everything in the novel intertwines and echoes, presenting stories that seem to play out an alternative narrative if this character or that made a different choice. Most interesting was the presentation of Daniel's mother, who fascinatingly undercuts all the neat narrative presented before her. Also interesting was Gwendolen's moral evolution, which is almost Dostoevsky-like in scope.

Overall, if you liked Middlemarch, or even if you didn't but like books of this scale, this is strongly recommended.

magnificent; second to Middlemarch

What did you love best about Daniel Deronda?

As with all of George Eliot's books, the language is astounding and the insights into human nature are deep. The story is interesting and morally important.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Daniel Deronda?

The conversations and feelings shared between Daniel and Ezra.

Have you listened to any of Nadia May’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no, I haven't listened to her other readings.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Daniel met his mother.

Any additional comments?

I first read Middlemarch- an amazingly brilliant book, and was so taken with Eliot that I then chose Daniel Deronda. DD didn't really grab me, seriously grab me, until chapter 32. From 32 to the end, I was completely moved. If you haven't read Eliot, or you did long ago, do give Middlemarch a go; as great as literature can get. I'm now listening to Mill on the Floss by Eliot.

Exquisite performance of a masterful literary work

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to any friend who had a philosophical mind, who delights in interior, rather than exterior events, who can appreciate the mind of a truly masterful writer. Nadia May's reading of this book and its wonderfully complicated characters is one of the best I've ever heard.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's very difficult to pick a favorite character, but I would have to choose Daniel Deronda himself. He is subtle, complex, and deeply compassionate. A spiritual guide to Gwendolyn, he serves as a spiritual guide to all readers, as well.

What does Nadia May bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nadia May brought a vivid nearness to each of the characters she portrayed with such cohesion and understanding. She is more an actress than mere reader. I felt as if I were watching a play or a movie, rather than listening to a book, and this was entirely because of May's superb performance. It's almost too exquisite a reading to be called a performance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I listened to it over a period of almost two months. It is more than 30 hours long.

Any additional comments?

I listened to the book while I read from the Oxford edition, and I think the two companion experiences and media made it all the more penetrating. This is probably one of the best books I've ever

Good, but not one of the very best

I'm a fan of George Eliot, but If you're wanting to get a start with her, I wouldn't recommend this one as the first to try. There are two stories entwined, one about spoiled, self-centred and self-indulgent Gwendolen Harleth, and the other about Daniel Deronda, brought up as the "nephew" of a baronet but ignorant of his true parentage. A large theme is Judaism, and I was hoping and expecting to find an examination of the attitudes of various upper-class and aristocratic Victorians to Jews.

It's just not there, and I was disappointed.

I was also a little disappointed with the narration: it's good, but it's not as good as the very best.

There is still plenty to like about Daniel Deronda. The portrait of Gwendolen Harleth in the first half of the book, before her marriage, is excellent, and the description of how she accepts the proposal of the rich but cruel selfish Grandcourt is outstanding.

Two Stories or One?

An almost perfect novel, divided by two distinct plots. The first a complex and glowing account of Gwendolen Harleth, a young strongly willed girl with many charms and faults, and Daniel Deronda, a parent-less gentleman, an intellectual with empathy only for the obviously miserable, the other. Her journey fascinates me and his informs me of the world situation, at the time, of nation building. Unlike, perhaps, all other popular Victorian novels, we have a very positive portrayal of a Christian's view of Zionism. Very interesting and important, but for me jarring and awkward into what is a great story that naturally flows from Elliot.

A compelling, fascinating story

A beautiful, complicated story very much worth the time commitment, which is considerable. Nadia May's brilliant narration made it an even greater pleasure; I marvel at her vast talents as a narrator and as an actor. I wager there are few characters she cannot do justice to--and nary a one in this book. Truly a command performance.

worth listening to

I was surprised to find, when I checked, that this book had only been rated with two stars, as I actually found it very rewarding. There were some difficult bits in it (theories concerning Jewish ideas in the 19 century etc) which I'm afraid did tend to go in one ear and out the other, but the theme of the book in general was, I thought, very powerful. Despite the fact that it was written about 130 years ago, some of the characters experienced thoughts and emotions which wouldn't have been out of place in a modern novel, and although obviously the story can't help being dated, it is no less absorbing for that.

I would have struggled to get through a novel of this size in book form, and I am glad to have had the opportunity to discover it this way instead - any effort I had to make was definitely rewarded.

My only real quibble is that the reader seemed to have trouble in being consistent with her pronunciation of the name 'Mordecai', which she kept varying rather irritatingly, sometimes even in the same phrase. However, other than that I thought she read it with expression and I found it a reasonable quality.

Wonderful Classic

Would you listen to Daniel Deronda again? Why?

Because it is a great story, good escapism and satisfying to listen to.

What other book might you compare Daniel Deronda to, and why?

'Adam Bede' and perhaps Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Mary Barton'

What about Nadia May’s performance did you like?

Hurray for unaffected narrators such as Nadia May, who reads at a sensible pace, instead of dragging it out and detracting from the understanding by silly voices. She does justice to the wonderful writing.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Haven't finished it yet, but I'm sure there will be, good novels usually have experiential realism that draws me in.

Brilliant!

This was a wonderful, thought-provoking novel. Well read and paced. Made my summer a delight!

Great Except for Foreign Names

The book is brilliant. Let's leave George Eliot out of this.
The reader was very good. There are lots of characters and lots of different accents. She did a remarkable job. But she had two ways of pronouncing Mordechai, neither correct, which she she seemed to have randomly chosen between over and over again. Even if there are only 200,000 Jews in Britain, she might have found one and asked how to pronounce it. I know it is petty but it took me out of the story each time it happened.

George Eliot examines race, faith, fate and, as always, female behaviour.

I had not read this in a while so was listening to ‘find’ it again … and my first comment is that Nadia May read it in a way that was perfect for me, something in her tone seemed to fit George Eliot’s observing eye. There are two central female characters with Daniel Deronda standing between them. Gwendolen is first drawn to Daniel because he is not attracted to her, though ultimately he becomes drawn to her need, just as he was drawn to Mirah, trying to drown herself quietly in the Thames. Nothing about Gwendolen is quiet. I had forgotten how horrendous it is watching her manipulate others, even if there is also reason for pity. As always with Eliot there are small interesting characters to note: ghastly Mr Lush (half financial adviser and ‘fixer’, half spy), exotic music teachers, kind gentlewomen who work and support themselves so their son/brother can concentrate on his art (!), other devoted sisters, passionate Jews, cruel husbands, cast-off mistresses and a long-lost mother-princess. Yes, this book IS long but it is never boring. It is about self-acceptance and finding a path you care about, using any talent for good. Daniel himself, though he has his insecure and even huffy moments, knows himself. He also finds it impossible to resist the chance to help anyone. This is recommended if you are in the mood for something a little off the beaten track.

Couldn’t get into it

The slightly grating tone of the narrator didn’t help as I tried in vain to get into the story. It just didn’t capture my attention and after an hour and a half I called it a day.

A great novel

fascinating story with stories within a story loved it beautifully narrated brought to life expertly