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)

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.

A great, moral tale.

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

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.

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.

Not my favorite Eliot

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

The second half is worth the wait

This is a meandering story, that takes its time to come together and come to life.The subjects discussed with such deft introspection are as relatable to today’s world as at the time it was written so long ago. It’s a delightful story!

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.

Still excellent after all these years !

I read this book some years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, now I have had the pleasure of listening to it, I am still as pleased and satisfied as I was then.
My enjoyment is to some degree, just the language and word usage, sentence construction and phrasing, the style of writing that the author uses gives me great satisfaction.
To sum up, I give this book a two thumbs up!

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.

George Eliot at her finest

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