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Adam Bede Audiobook
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(3.73) - 128 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
George Eliot's first full-length novel is the moving, realistic portrait of three people troubled by unwise love.
Adam Bede is a hardy young carpenter who cares for his aging mother. His one weakness is the woman he loves blindly: the trifling town beauty, Hetty Sorrel, who delights only in her baubles—and the delusion that the careless Captain Donnithorne may ask for her hand.
Betrayed by their innocence, both Adam and Hetty allow their foolish hearts to trap them in a triangle of seduction, murder, and retribution. Only in the lovely Dinah Morris, a preacher, does Adam find his redemption.
Addressing questions of morality and the role of women in society, Adam Bedeexplores the dangers of relying on religious and social norms to govern destructive desires.
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"This novel demonstrates why George Elliot is considered a great novelist. She defines the motives of her characters with such understanding! As a Methodist I was interested in the weaving of the early Methodist faith into the story. This is a story bringing together several characters and tells the ripple effect of one careless deed. It is a satisfying 19th Century novel. I especially like the fact that the lives of the more common people are most important to the story."
— Rrshively (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Adam Bede has taken its place among the actual experiences and endurances of my life.”
— Charles Dickens -
“A first-rate novel.”
— Times (London) -
“Adam Bede was Eliot’s first long novel. Its masterly realism—evident, for example, in the recording of Derbyshire dialect—brought to English fiction the same truthful observation of minute detail that John Ruskin was commending in the Pre-Raphaelites. But what was new in this work of English fiction was the combination of deep human sympathy and rigorous moral judgment.”
— Merriam Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature
Adam Bede Listener Reviews
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" George Eliot is a stunning writer, and Adam Bede is the perfect man. Enough said. "
— Emily, 2/20/2014 -
" Very enjoyable read, with three lovely main characters and several interesting minor characters. If you are a George Eliot fan, this one is not quite on par with "Silas Marner" or "Middlemarch", but it is definitely worth a read. "
— Ferris, 2/18/2014 -
" So great. I love the language. "
— Valerie, 2/16/2014 -
" Not George Eliot's masterpiece, though a highly enjoyable read. The plotting is quite slow, and the novel's best moments are Eliot's observations and descriptions of interior life. There is quite a bit of action, especially in the latter half, but most of it happens off the page. I hate to admit this, but it was much easier for me to visualize the mechanics and relationships of estate landlords and the squires now that I've started watching Downton. "
— Michelle, 2/8/2014 -
" This is a wise book. I almost gave up several times because the development of the plot seemed to take two years of my life, but it turns out it was well worth it. It was like a roller coaster slowly climbing to the top of the slope and then once it started downhill it picked up pace and suspense. There are some books that make you feel really proud of yourself when you are done, this is one of them. "
— Kasha, 1/31/2014 -
" I loved it, and while I've written one researched paper for a conference before, I'll probably turn back to Eliot and write another--there's still so many topics to be covered..... "
— Sarah, 1/19/2014 -
" I really loved this book. I've just discovered George Eliot and think she is amazingly intelligent. I want to read Middle March sometime soon. I've heard it is her best work. It is very long though so who knows when. "
— Melonie, 1/16/2014 -
" I love George Eliot. And although I don't think this is as wonderful as Mill on the Floss or Middlemarch or Silas Marner, it is still so very worth reading. You love Adam and feel for poor Hetty. And as with every other Eliot, there is a worthwhile moral ending. Great for any bookclub. "
— Darla, 1/15/2014 -
" This was my first George Eliot, and I can't say I was riveted. It plodded along at a steady, predictable pace, until delivering a surprise two-thirds of the way through that sparked up my interest and kept me going till the end. "
— Hashi, 1/4/2014 -
" I loved this book. It was very difficult to read because lots of it was written in colloquialism. At times I had to read out loud. It is a wonderful story. "
— Elisabeth, 1/1/2014 -
" Interesting book; incorporates information about early Methodists. "
— Laura, 12/29/2013 -
" Slow starting, but eventually came to enjoy it. Makes you appreciate how different life is now, mostly for the better. "
— Eleanor, 12/26/2013 -
" George Eliot is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. It's so refreshing to pick up an English Classic that IS about the common man. What a great find! I found it a joy to read, chock full of both morals and entertainment. "
— Rosanna, 12/14/2013 -
" A George Elliot first and one can tell. Yet her ideas and observations are eerily relevant, even today. "
— Avantika, 12/10/2013 -
" Too much adultery, lovers, etc. Didn't finish but I was part of a book club that did. The end was very twisted and problems very complex due to the sexual controversy so lesson learned, but I still chose not to finish. "
— Ballardkate, 12/5/2013 -
" George Elliot is masterful at painting pictures with words. She invokes your imagination to see and feel what the characters experience. "
— Jessy, 11/16/2013 -
" Wow. George Eliot can write! Loved the book. "
— Amy, 11/5/2013 -
" Had never read any George Eliot, and quite enjoyed her insightfulness and wit. "
— Wendy, 9/2/2013 -
" Fits its genre well. Think of "Mill on the Floss". "
— Claire, 8/5/2013 -
" I would never have read this never mind enjoyed it. A great study of love and human nature. "
— Ian, 6/20/2013 -
" OK. What is with the woe is me mother? And the sexist school teacher? Why exactly did Adam marry Dinah instead of Seth? What is with Hetty? The only reason I gave this book three stars is because it was funny to laugh at the charectors. "
— Nasseem, 5/24/2013 -
" Interesting book; incorporates information about early Methodists. "
— Laura, 5/19/2013 -
" One of the really fun parts of this book for me was that it was so full of human witticisms. So many truisms said in delightful ways. I wish that I had read it with a red pencil and marked them all. "
— Marlene, 5/6/2013 -
" I absolutely loved the main character(s) of this novel and was so uplifted by its message. I wish there were more people in this world with such morality, courage and strength. The final scene is beautiful to me. One of my favorite books of George Eliot. "
— Jessica, 5/5/2013 -
" I read this book because my name was in it. I can't say it left much of an impression--I remember reading it in Africa. I'm not one to expect a huge amount of action on each page or anything, but this story developed so slowly. . .it was like watching evolution in action. "
— Adam, 4/28/2013 -
" Although being one of Eliot's well-known novels, it simply wasn't my cup of tea. "
— Hashim, 3/18/2013 -
" Fits its genre well. Think of "Mill on the Floss". "
— Claire, 3/4/2013 -
" Silas Marner and Middlemarch are terrific. The Mill on the Floss is very good, but depressing as hell. Adam Bede is above-average. "
— Sdprince, 3/3/2013 -
" George Eliot rules the fascinating and selective world between Victorian fantasy and true modernism, and Middlemarch is one shining example of her expertise. Not just a good reads these are, but some of the very best. "
— Laura, 12/1/2012 -
" I absolutely loved the main character(s) of this novel and was so uplifted by its message. I wish there were more people in this world with such morality, courage and strength. The final scene is beautiful to me. One of my favorite books of George Eliot. "
— Jessica, 11/26/2012 -
" An interesting love story sparked by wonderful characterization and observations of life. "
— Rob, 11/16/2012 -
" Not enjoying this book. I loved The Mill on the Floss, but can't seem to find another of her books that I like. "
— Gaylinn, 10/16/2012 -
" Dull. Victorian in all the worst ways. "
— Eve, 8/8/2012 -
" A great read. So glad the book was recommended. I do the same. It's worth the time. "
— Lisa, 7/19/2012 -
" Silas Marner and Middlemarch are terrific. The Mill on the Floss is very good, but depressing as hell. Adam Bede is above-average. "
— Sdprince, 6/18/2012 -
" that was her first long work of art. of course less perfect than her later works but I liked it. "
— Rehab, 2/6/2012 -
" A very richly textured and lovely book. "
— Ero, 8/22/2011 -
" George Eliot rules the fascinating and selective world between Victorian fantasy and true modernism, and Middlemarch is one shining example of her expertise. Not just a good reads these are, but some of the very best. "
— Laura, 7/30/2011 -
" I actually cheated and watched the movie. "
— Cherri, 5/11/2011 -
" Loved this book. The author had a lot of insight into love, forgiveness, and the depth of human emotion. "
— Natalie, 4/28/2011 -
" Loved this book. The author had a lot of insight into love, forgiveness, and the depth of human emotion. "
— Natalie, 4/28/2011 -
" Loved this book. The author had a lot of insight into love, forgiveness, and the depth of human emotion. "
— Natalie, 4/28/2011 -
" "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!" HETTY SORREL "
— Lily, 2/28/2011 -
" "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!" HETTY SORREL "
— Lily, 2/28/2011 -
" "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!" HETTY SORREL "
— Lily, 2/28/2011 -
" An interesting love story sparked by wonderful characterization and observations of life. "
— Rob, 2/20/2011 -
" An interesting love story sparked by wonderful characterization and observations of life. "
— Rob, 2/20/2011 -
" An interesting love story sparked by wonderful characterization and observations of life. "
— Rob, 2/20/2011 -
" Tess of the D'Urbervilles with a happier ending. Enjoyed Middlemarch more. "
— Elaine, 2/2/2011 -
" Tess of the D'Urbervilles with a happier ending. Enjoyed Middlemarch more. "
— Elaine, 2/2/2011 -
" Tess of the D'Urbervilles with a happier ending. Enjoyed Middlemarch more. "
— Elaine, 2/2/2011 -
" A beautifully written sad story of people, interaction, love, revenge and forgiveness. The words are flowery and expressive. The thoughts are detailed and draw you into the minds of others. A lovely book. "
— Sonia, 1/31/2011 -
" A beautifully written sad story of people, interaction, love, revenge and forgiveness. The words are flowery and expressive. The thoughts are detailed and draw you into the minds of others. A lovely book. "
— Sonia, 1/31/2011 -
" A beautifully written sad story of people, interaction, love, revenge and forgiveness. The words are flowery and expressive. The thoughts are detailed and draw you into the minds of others. A lovely book. "
— Sonia, 1/31/2011 -
" Elliot's first novel, and it shows. But an interesting slice of lower class English life. "
— Rachel, 1/26/2011 -
" Elliot's first novel, and it shows. But an interesting slice of lower class English life. "
— Rachel, 1/26/2011 -
" Elliot's first novel, and it shows. But an interesting slice of lower class English life. "
— Rachel, 1/26/2011 -
" Started out as a typical story of countryside England in the 1800s, then got REALLY dark. "
— Chris, 1/15/2011 -
" Started out as a typical story of countryside England in the 1800s, then got REALLY dark. "
— Chris, 1/15/2011 -
" Started out as a typical story of countryside England in the 1800s, then got REALLY dark. "
— Chris, 1/15/2011 -
" Just finished this book. I really liked it. George Eliot is such an amazing observer of human nature. "
— Jen, 1/12/2011 -
" Just finished this book. I really liked it. George Eliot is such an amazing observer of human nature. "
— Jen, 1/12/2011 -
" Just finished this book. I really liked it. George Eliot is such an amazing observer of human nature. "
— Jen, 1/12/2011
About George Eliot
George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann, or Marian, Evans (1819–1880), was an English Victorian novelist of the first rank. An assistant editor for the Westminster Review from 1851 to 1854, she wrote her first fiction in 1857 and her first full-length novel, Adam Bede, in 1859. In her writing, she was chiefly preoccupied with moral problems, especially the moral development and psychological analysis of her characters. She is known for her sensitive and honest depiction of life and people in works that are acclaimed as classics.
About Wanda McCaddon
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.