The Wanderer
Gelesen von LibriVox Volunteers
Frances Burney
(4,406 Sterne; 32 Bewertungen)
This is the fourth and final novel by Fanny Burney, the author of Evelina, Cecilia, and Camilla. "Who is "Miss Ellis?" Why did she board a ship from France to England at the beginning of the French revolution? Anyway, the loss of her purse made this strange "wanderer" dependent upon the charity of some good people and, of course, bad ones. But she always comforts herself by reminding herself that it's better than "what might have been..." This is not only a mystery, not at all. It's also a romance which reminds readers of novels by Jane Austen. Published in 1814, the same year as Mansfield Park, it shares some themes with it. It is also very modern, speaking freely of independent women (like Elinor), weak male characters, and unrequited love. Yes, a love triangle is lurking behind the scenes, and, in this case, it is not clear if the happy ending is suitable. At the time when it was published, critics did not like this political novel, and said that the difficulties which "Ellis" faced while trying to support herself were clearly fictional. However, don't let this deter you. It's a wonderful and mature novel, ahead of it's time by about 100 years. Happy reading! (Summary by Stav Nisser)
This project was proof listened by Elaine Webb and TriciaG. (36 hr 22 min)
Chapters
Bewertungen
long twisting path
jaded_grl
(5 Sterne)
the readers all did a good job. the book has a few different readers, but they all do a fine job with the characters and quality of sound. there are two chapters where the characters speak in french and it is not clear what was discussed. those two spots are critical to understanding the story! i found the text online for the book with a translation in the footnotes, free. this is a LONG story and at about chapter 14 i thought it was ending and them was shocked to find out it had barely begun. there are many twists and revelations that keep you interested. there is one VERY long discussion on suicide/religion that was so tedious i gave up and fast forwarded because it contained no information related to the story, just something the writer must have had strong feelings about. this book is a romance SECOND and a mystery first. who is she? where is she from? why is she hiding? why does she refuse help from handsome young men?
just started listening
dahszil
(0 Sterne)
after several chapters i stopped listening. it just seemed like a bunch of unnecessary craziness. i can only predict that the lady incognito had good reason to be so. what i could never understand why the british writers were "so into "lily white"skin" when Wilberforce and other abolitionists fought against enslavement of Africans in the late 18th and early 19th century and did win their cause. It seems that Frances Burney was concerned with independent aristocratic women. Mary Wollstonecraft towers over Burney as from the poor on up, womens rights advocate and social reformer. btw, is there a way to just delete this "review"?
Too long but good.
VR
(3,5 Sterne)
The story was very good and it ended well, however for my personal taste it took way too long to get to the end of the story. It had a good summation but I would have liked to hear more of the fate of some of the characters at the end.
long but worth the wait
Hospitable Georgian
(4,5 Sterne)
This was a very long book full of many twists and turns. There were many times I would want it over, then I would get sucked back in to the story. It was great! It was long but worth the wait. Read on!
Great book!
(5 Sterne)
All the readers did a great job. what an intense book. There are many plays upon feminism & masulinism which are really interesting to hear. Very long book, but well worth the pay off.
Very Good rendition
Lea Choi
(5 Sterne)
Delightful rendition. There are just a few parts in French, but it doesn’t disturb the listeners’ ability to understand the plot if they don’t know French.
Jan
(5 Sterne)
very long very enjoyable story a little fast at the very end of it but still very good enjoyed it very much
mesmerizing read
sassy mamma23
(4 Sterne)
Very long book but I was engrossed and sad to have finished; it became part of my daily chores