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The Odd Women

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The Odd Women

By: George Gissing
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2020 Naxos AudioBooks Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction
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Beautifully written, descriptive, reflective and catches an era of our time from the past. Evolving changes in society

Absolutely loved this book!

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Please, please Juliet Stevenson, narrate more Gissing novels! Brilliant performance. I fell in love, then out of love with Everard Barfoot, swept along by a story line I couldn't predict and memorable characters and dialogue that pointed towards many philosophical and social problems along the way. Bought it on Tuesday, finished by Thursday!

Brilliant dissection of 19th Century marriage

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This is an extraordinarily feminist book for a Victorian male writer. It is a great insight into the lot of women who are not wealthy and / or beautiful in the late 19th century, Very well read by Juliet Stephenson. The characters really come to life. I had not read any of George Gissings’ books before and on the strength of this, I will read (listen) to more.

Women’s lot in the late 19th century.

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this book was honestly brilliant all round. I love Juliet Stevenson as a narrator, and the story was just so good, with twists and turns and character development. so satisfying! I think this is a real classic. makes very real the plight of women, in fact whether married or not.

what a brilliant book

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Started this novel years ago and so glad I finally got around to finishing it.
It's of its time obviously but also pioneering. The last line says it all.
It's a thesis in novel form.

Extraordinary

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