The Patrician
Gelesen von Simon Evers
John Galsworthy
(4,365 Sterne; 52 Bewertungen)
The book revolves around the story of two love affairs. Miltoun (an aspiring politician) proposes to Mrs Audrey Noel, only to find that she is not a widow as everyone supposes, but that her husband is still alive and therefore the match is impossible. Meanwhile, Miltoun’s younger sister Barbara develops an equally unwise romance with the rebellious Courtier.
The story of what happens to these ill-matched pairs is played out against a brilliant portrayal of the Victorian upper class, its snobbery and its concerns. (The patrician in the title refers to Miltoun, who is thus called by Courtier, whose politics are the opposite to his.)
Summary by Simon Evers (9 hr 49 min)
Chapters
Bewertungen
Captivating!
Lee
(5 Sterne)
I was working a large jigsaw puzzle while listening to The Patrician. Years ago, I saw four incarnations of Galsworthy's Forsyth Saga in movies and on PBS. It was a great favorite. This book drew me in because I found the main character to be unusual and mysterious. Galsworthy offered hints as to his nature very slowly. The Patrician was an awkward boy, and became a brilliant, pragmatic, principled man. Groomed to be a member of Parliament, his choice of a wife would be key to his success and the plot turns on this choice. It is remarkable that a book written in 1929 had the power to take me away from the mundane, and I was gripped by the choices the characters were forced to make to survive the powerful strictures of morality of that time. When I'm listening to Mr. Evers, I often hear seagulls in the background and I imagine him sitting by the seashore, reading his favorite books to us.
Good Galsworthy Fare
Bookpacker
(4,5 Sterne)
I never understand why the only Galsworthy one tends to hear on radio or watch on television is the Forsytes. He's written other books as good. This one is new to me but I chose it as I like the reader (very much enjoyed Huntingtower) and was interested to see if it would live up to expectations. So far it does. Thank you Mr Evers and Librivox.
A Flat Story
Scott in Sandy Eggo
(3 Sterne)
The narrative arc of the story never rose above a brief sigh. The constrictive nature of the elderly family expectations and their ability to influence the destinies of their grandchildren is perhaps a difficult plot line to believe now, and thus furthermore disappointing that our alleged primary characters could not rise to their own challenges left a denouement that was, well… oh well.
KAB
(5 Sterne)
The reader is, as always, inimitable, which is reflected in his choice of subject. This is an account of the depths at which we are touched by love, of the lengths to which it draws us, and of the far-reaching repurcussions of the choices we make.
Unrealized Potential
Liz
(3 Sterne)
Rather than critique a successful novelist I will simply agree with another reviewer’s opinion that this story was…just not what I expected from John Galsworthy. As usual, excellent narration by Simon Evers.
Excellent
jbrown
(5 Sterne)
Galsworthy’s prose is beautiful at times and Simon Evers delivers it flawlessly. Interesting and engaging story. Thank you LibriVox and thank you Mr. Evers.
ellene
Love and Destiny
(4 Sterne)
Profoundly moving story about the ethical choices forced upon class-crossed and star-crossed lovers. Beautifully narrated by Simon Evers.
very interesting psychological novel
darthlaurel
(5 Sterne)
Excellent reading. Very intense interior novel about the workings of the upper class.