The Odd Women Audiobook By George Gissing cover art

The Odd Women

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"What is more vulgar than the ideal of novelists? In real life, how many men and women fall in love?" So says Rhoda Nunn, George Gissing's formidable heroine. Through a gripping and thought-provoking story, Gissing presents the reality for Victorian women: a society in which marriage is judged to be the only acceptable way forward. His perspective is strikingly sympathetic for its time, and as such the novel has an exhilarating freshness far removed from the contemporary sentimental romantics.

The young Monica Madden cries for two days before her marriage to Edmund Widdowson; the ensuing claustrophobia, which opens the door for the more desirable Bevis, contrasts with Rhoda's independence - yet Rhoda's own principles are tested when she falls in love rather by accident....

The Odd Women is a remarkable book, ultimately optimistic in its hope for a societal shift that will benefit both men and women alike.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2020 Naxos AudioBooks Literary Fiction Fiction Classics Genre Fiction
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I liked the making of the characters and the narrator did an excellent job individualizing them. A good book overall.

How different the two Main characters were.

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This novel deserves to be better known I liked best the subtle psychological insights. The reader is superb, especially with voices that express character.

Excellent novel beautifully read

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Worth the listen. Juliet Stevenson is a marvel! She makes the pages come alive. What happens to the women who don’t marry at a time in history when the options were so few. A daring and bold take on love in and out if matrimony

Give it time

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As always, Juliet Stevenson delivers. This is my first experience with George Gissing. Nothing turned out as I had hoped, but the narrative is riveting, insightful, and ultimately, heartbreaking.

Riveting Novel, Stellar Narration

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Of course, Juliet Stevenson is the best, I choose lots of books based on the ones she narrates. However, even Juliet couldn't redeem the story. It is trident, didactic, boring, and the characters are not the least bit interesting. I made it through about halfway, but the conversations are so tedious and convoluted. Finally decided I couldn't take it anymore when I realized I had a headache. Cannot recommend this title.

Juliette Stevenson makes this bearable

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