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.

35 persone l'hanno trovata utile

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.

10 persone l'hanno trovata utile

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.

6 persone l'hanno trovata utile

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.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

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.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Worst!

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

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

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.

Enjoyed

I am a big fan of George Eliot’s work. This one not quite as much.

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