Daniel Deronda

By: George Eliot

Narrated by: Nadia May

One of the masterpieces of English fiction, Daniel Deronda tells the intertwined stories of two characters as they each come to discover the truth of their natures.

Gwendolen Harleth is the beautiful, high-spirited daughter of an impoverished upper-class family. In order to restore their fortunes, she unwittingly traps herself in an oppressive marriage. Humbled, she turns for solace and guidance to Daniel Deronda, the high-minded adopted son of an aristocratic Englishman. But when Deronda, who is searching for his path in life, rescues a poor Jewish girl from drowning, he discovers a world of Jewish experience previously unknown to him, and to the Victorian novel. Dismayed by the anti-Semitism around him, the tragedy of the lovely Gwendolen begins to fade for Deronda. When he finally uncovers the long-hidden secret of his own parentage, he must confront his true identity and destiny.

(P)1997 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Nadia May meets the strenuous demands of Eliot's narration with easy assurance." (Library Journal)
"Daniel Deronda is a startling and unexpected novel....It is a cosmic myth, a world history, and a morality play." (A.S. Byatt)

Daniel D

A tale of triumph and tragedy skillfully told in the style of bygone years. If you enjoy classics, you'll want to listen. A bit long winded in several areas. Deronda appeals to the reader.

magnificent; second to Middlemarch

What did you love best about Daniel Deronda?

As with all of George Eliot's books, the language is astounding and the insights into human nature are deep. The story is interesting and morally important.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Daniel Deronda?

The conversations and feelings shared between Daniel and Ezra.

Have you listened to any of Nadia May’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no, I haven't listened to her other readings.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Daniel met his mother.

Any additional comments?

I first read Middlemarch- an amazingly brilliant book, and was so taken with Eliot that I then chose Daniel Deronda. DD didn't really grab me, seriously grab me, until chapter 32. From 32 to the end, I was completely moved. If you haven't read Eliot, or you did long ago, do give Middlemarch a go; as great as literature can get. I'm now listening to Mill on the Floss by Eliot.

Two Stories or One?

An almost perfect novel, divided by two distinct plots. The first a complex and glowing account of Gwendolen Harleth, a young strongly willed girl with many charms and faults, and Daniel Deronda, a parent-less gentleman, an intellectual with empathy only for the obviously miserable, the other. Her journey fascinates me and his informs me of the world situation, at the time, of nation building. Unlike, perhaps, all other popular Victorian novels, we have a very positive portrayal of a Christian's view of Zionism. Very interesting and important, but for me jarring and awkward into what is a great story that naturally flows from Elliot.

Not as good as the others

It's always a pleasure to read Eliot. This book contains the same insightful character development that makes her other books great -- characters so true you almost have to laugh aloud. But Eliot's political agenda in this book gets in the way, ultimately twisting the characters out of true, not to mention requiring the inclusion of many long and tedious passages tangential to the story.

Two great stories; a pity it's called a novel, tho

Would you consider the audio edition of Daniel Deronda to be better than the print version?

no.

What other book might you compare Daniel Deronda to and why?

Eliot likes to have beautiful, vain women and see the trouble they get into or cause. So half of the novel is as we might expect--and great. The Deronda half of the book is less expected, and somewhat less convincing.

What does Nadia May bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She does the accents and the idiosyncrasies of the speakers very well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but some of the accounts are moving.

Any additional comments?

Eliot is for knowledgeable, sophisticated readers. It helps to be interested in subtle psychology; to like little essays along the way; and to like, or tolerate, learned allusions. Not everyone should try Eliot.

Nadia May reading is superb

After reading/listening to Middlemarch and Adam Bede, I embarked on the 4 volume Deronda. I was happy that I enlisted Nadia May whose spectacular voice rendition of charcters pulled me through all 4 volumes. I enjoyed it all and was particularly captivated by the ugly experience of British prejudice so prevalent in cultured British society. The love story as with all George Eliot's books was tender and romantic.

Lovely

What an amazing story. The reading was very good. This may be my new favorite.

Wonderful!

Thank you! It was a true pleasure listening to this thoughtful, interesting, and insightful novel.

How did George Eliot know so much?

Daniel Deronda is the eponymous character but he shares the main focus of the novel with Gwendolyn Harleth, a young woman who falls from egoistic selfishness into a rollercoaster of unfortunate events.Their lives entangle but their relationship is not what you might expect. The novel is filled with wisdom that George Eliot presumably found in her extensive reading but she must have lived as well. She must have experienced so much in order to understand humans in their various economic, religious and moral dilemmas. The performance rattles along terribly quickly which is sometimes a bit bumpy but mostly entirely great storytelling. I wanted it to keep going.

Audible Fail

The speed continuously changed and the story skipped around. I went for my usual 90-minute walk with 11 hours left. By the time I returned home, the book was at the end. Some chapters repeated more than once.