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Scenes of Clerical Life

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Scenes of Clerical Life

By: George Eliot
Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
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About this listen

 This work, George Eliot's fiction debut, contains three stories, all of which aim to disclose the value hidden in the commonplace.

The Sad Fortunes of the Rev. Amos Barton, through vignettes of his life, portrays a character who is hard to like and easy to ridicule. Many people do ridicule as well as slander and despise him, until his suffering shocks them into fellowship and sympathy.

In Mr. Gilfil's Love-Story, Eliot brings forth conflicting value systems revolving around a young woman, Caterina, and two men, Wybrow, who is capable of loving only himself, and Mr. Gilfil, whose love for Caterina is selfless and perceptive.

The story Janet's Repentance is an account of conversion from sinfulness to righteousness achieved through the selfless endeavors of an Evangelical clergyman.

(P)1998 Blackstone Audio Inc. Classics

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Critic reviews

"The exquisite truth and delicacy, both of the humor and the pathos of those stories, I have never seen the like of." (Charles Dickens)
"It is a first-rate novel, and its author takes rank at once among the masters of the art." (London Times)
All stars
Most relevant  
A great reading of her first three pieces of experimental writing as a successful precursor to Adam Bede. In few parts hard work but the stories ultimately come into their brilliance.

George Eliot’s first novel writing

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I wrote in a recent review how the romance in most audible novels - which I listen to for crime thriller escapism - bores me.
But this last/first one from George Eliot, has plenty of romance ... but what a difference. Thankfully, sex and coarseness is not part of the best classics.  But the romance and relationships in Ms Eliot's writings are the most amazing spiritual lesson, to those who are open to it. The words she uses, so wonderfully speak to one's heart and mind.  Such words to move one to laugh and cry.
Our 4 best [ in my opinion] English female authors of classics - all benefited from Head-of-the-house, churchmen fathers… [Biblical hierarchy]
No female rebels resulted from such secure and nurtured upbringings:
the Brontes, Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, ‘George Eliot’.
These women added to our wonderful and beautifully written novels for posterity.

Her First Novel, Published Anonymously

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It would be a pity if anyone was put off this book by the unpromising tile. It was the first imaginative fiction published by George Eliot . Though it is possible to find fault with some of the plotting and characterisation,it is by no means mere apprentice work.There is the same sane, compassionate but sharp view of human nature eloquently expressed that is to be found in the later more expansive novels. If you have enjoyed Middlemarch or The Mill on the Floss you will find much to give delight in these three stories.

Nadia May is, as always, an intelligent and entertaining reader.She excels both in conveying clearly the argument of reflective passages of analysis and reflection and in doing full justice to George Eliot's ear for a wide range of speech. It is an accomplished reading that illuminates the text.

Early Eliot worth investigating.

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Beautifully written with a great spiritual lesson for us all. The reader had so many different characterisations and made the book come alive.

Great story

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It would be a pity if anyone was put off this book by the unpromising tile. It was the first imaginative fiction published by George Eliot . Though it is possible to find fault with some of the plotting and characterisation,it is by no means mere apprentice work.There is the same sane, compassionate but sharp view of human nature eloquently expressed that is to be found in the later more expansive novels. If you have enjoyed Middlemarch or The Mill on the Floss you will find much to give delight in these three stories.

Nadia May is, as always, an intelligent and entertaining reader.She excels both in conveying clearly the argument of reflective passages of analysis and reflection and in doing full justice to George Eliot's ear for a wide range of speech. It is an accomplished reading that illuminates the text.

Early Eliot worth investigating.

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I really enjoyed this, a well lived and felt life for each character. highly recommend

beautiful words, weaving through life and feelings

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I would not recommend this audio book it is very boring like watching paint dry, narrator's voice doesn't help

uninteresting characters

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