Adam Bede cover art

Adam Bede

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Adam Bede

By: George Eliot
Narrated by: Jill Tanner
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About this listen

With an introduction and notes by Doreen Roberts, University of Kent at Canterbury

"Examine your words well, and you will find that even when you have no motive to be false, it is a very hard thing to say the exact truth, even about your immediate feelings...."

Adam Bede (1859), George Eliot's first full-length novel, marked the emergence of an artist to rank with Scott and Dickens. Set in the English Midlands of farmers and village craftsmen at the turn of the 18th century, the book relates a story of seduction issuing in "the inward suffering which is the worst form of Nemesis". But it is also a rich and pioneering record - drawing on intimate knowledge and affectionate memory - of a rural world that we have lost. The movement of the narration between social realism and reflection on its own processes, the exploration of motives, and the constant authorial presence all bespeak an art that strives to connect the fictional with the actual.

Public Domain (P)2016 Recorded Books Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural Village

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All stars
Most relevant  
I am a fan of George Eliot - fellow midlander - but had always been daunted by her longer books. And so I was delighted to see Adam Bede as an audible book, and then I became totally engrossed in the book from a chapter or two in over the 24 hours to listen to it. I will miss all the characters described in the depth and breadth that writers of this era could, the trials and tribulations of love, let alone the views of yesterday year many of which resonate today. The indoctrination of religion (but the opportunities closed to women), the wariness of those slightly different, the casual misogyny, and restrictions and abuses of class. Added, and I found this most interesting, were the political discussions between the characters as well of the benefits of being at war (Eliot was alive during the Napoleonic wars), allyship and coalitions and the benefits to the ‘defence industry’. As always Eliot makes some significant points about her beliefs, the hypocrisies all around, and most particularly, keen observations on community, society and the people.

This beautifully and artfully written book became my friend for the last few weeks, who I now yearn for as if I too had been banished from the parish. Wonderful.

The things we do for love

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I enjoyed this yarn, there were a few preachy bits but that’s fine. A good ending as always. Good reader.

A long slow tale , sad in parts

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Beautifully written, and very well read - though with the occasional misplaced emphasis. Well done, Audible.

Couldn’t stop listening

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This is my second listen to Adam Bede and, I enjoyed it even more this time spotting the hints of what was to come. I also realised how sublimely insightful George Eliot’s portrayal of Arthur Donnithorne is. In fact, all the characters are engaging and interesting.

The first half of the novel is a slow burn and is overlong but the second half is absolutely gripping and very moving. It’s a wonderful book and an amazing achievement as Eliot’s first novel.

Jill Tanner reads the novel with energy, giving life to the slower sections and emotion to the drama. I have listened to both Jill Tanner’s and Nadia May’s readings of this novel, and I can’t say I prefer one over the other. Nadia May’s dialect feels more authentic, but Jill Tanner’s energy does help the novel along. Both are very good readings.

An Excellent Rendition of a moving classic

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The reader was fabulous. I hate audio books with great authors and terrible readers on audible. But this was wonderful

The readers voice was amazing

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