Felix Holt, The Radical

By: George Eliot

Narrated by: Nadia May

Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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)

four and a half stars

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.

Rewarding

Although there’s an insanely complicated legal situation at the heart of this novel, I found it to be one of Eliot’s more agreeable and rewarding works. All characters (except the truly worst) are treated with a broad and humane sympathy, and there are touches of humor - something that her novels often lack. Despite the title, Felix Holt is not the most interesting character in the book. That would have to be Esther, daughter of the local curate, and someone who begins with a shallow love of appearances and ends with love and courage - and a delightful sense of flirtatiousness.

As always, Nadia May gives a sterling performance.

I'm done with George Eliot :(

So I believe I've listened through all of George Eliot's books by now. I loved Middlemarch, but slowly and steadily I've gotten fed up as I've listened through the rest of them. I believe this one is the one I dislike the most. I disliked the character Felix Holt the minute we were introduced to him. Honestly, there's really not a single character in the book I'm fond of and truly care about. Who in this book is actually an interesting character which we want to care about. For me there's none. Yes, people are flawed and need improvement etc and yes it's a book written in 1866 and life was so different and women had such a different standing in the world. But really, by now I'm fed up with men deciding to tell women what failures they are and how they're to improve to be what is to, at the time, considered a good woman. But over and over again these female characters are doing everything to lower themselves to the male character's standard. I'm so done with it. I'm glad I've now heard them all and if there were any more I'd skip listening or reading them. Women being demeaned and belittled over and over again. Glad I'm done. Read or listen to Middlemarch and skip this one is my recommendation.

insight and depth; no gratuitous sex or violence

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.

It should have more of the political aspect

This is a political story with romance thrown in. The political ideas should be dealt with more in depth; the romance is less of value here. I’ve liked several books by George Eliot, but this one is just OK, and nothing brilliant. I would not suggest it as a book to introduce a listener (or reader) to the author. The narrator would have been great - good voices and accents, but she ruins it by stalling too much and too often between sentences. I wish there were a way for me to delete the “white space”. That certainly could be done by Blackstone, and would greatly improve the listening pleasure.

Worst!

I have other George Eliot titles in my library. I have been an audiobook fan for decades. But this book is horrible 😝.

Story was a disappointment

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.

Beautifully written novel. Eliot at her finest.

George Eliot did know how to tell stories, and Felix Holt is not an exception. Memorable characters, a complex storyline, remarkable topics, and a wonderful ending. Loved it.

Enjoyed the book and narrator

An intelligent and beautiful style of writing, combined with a talented narrator who brought the characters to life. I throughly enjoyed this audiobook and am left eager to listen to another book by Eliot.

Riches or Morals? Which will she choose?

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.

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.

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

to many characters

boring I gave up on it, no story to take hold of very disappointing

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

Admiration

Brilliant writing that time does not diminish - complemented by a very talented reader to make a really enjoyable literary treat.