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Romola

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Romola

By: George Eliot
Narrated by: Gabriel Woolf
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About this listen

Romola is the fourth novel from the great Victorian novelist George Eliot and her first historical novel. Published in 1862 - 63, it is set in Florence at the end of the fifteenth century and events during the Italian Renaissance, and includes in its plot several notable figures from Florentine history.

The story is of a girl's devotion to her blind father, her marriage to and betrayal by a young Greek and ultimate life of self-sacrifice.

English novelist George Eliot (1819-1880), real name Mary Ann (Marian) Evans was one of the leading writers of the Victorian era.

Please note: This is a vintage recording. The audio quality may not be up to modern day standards.

Public Domain (P)2009 RNIB Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Middle Ages
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The overall reading was, but there are many errors in it which could have been picked up and corrected.

Could have been better

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A fascinating story excellently read. Woolf?s rich tone of voice and laconic delivery are ideal for this book and, with few exceptions, he pronounces the Italian words authentically. If you know Florence you will recognise many familiar place names and if you aren?t, the book may inspire you to visit this timeless city. I haven?t read 'Romola' since I was a teenager and as an adult I am impressed with Eliot?s grasp of, and ability to render interesting, the convoluted politics of the Medician period. It?s also a ?jolly good yarn?!

Don't miss this

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It’s a pretty unlikely plot but the background in Florence is as well researched as any modern historical novel. Having suffered from an abusive husband herself Eliot writes from the heart and with a good grasp of Contempprary Italian politics and puts more sensible spiritual counsel into the mouth of Savonarola than modern readers would give him credit for.
I didn’t know this book at all and only bought it in the €3 sale but it’s ptobably become my favourite of Eliot’s now.

Well researched and stimulating.

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A lesser known work of Eliot, yet i think its still one of her best.
A fresh break from her usual portrait of life, religious and social interactions in 19th century rural England. Eliot steps into the heart of Renaissance Italy and doesn't disappoint.
Romala confirms Eliot's diverse range of reach across time and place. We get a taste of this, although brief, in the Rome excursus of Middlmarch.
Sadly however, her eventual concise body of work eventually denied us the joy of experiencing further such explorations.

This is a treasured work of historical research into the philosophy, art and politics of the period. The result, a classical historical fiction that is both intelligent and rich in literary value and every page as good as Deronda or Middlmarch.

A worthy narration too that provides a true immersive escape into late 15th century Florence.

Superb, intelligent, evocative and engaging.

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During listening I sometimes wondered if Woolf got bored, suspecting him of suppressing a yawn now and then. Not enjoyable this lulling-the-listener-into-a-doze way of narrating and not getting an understanding of Eliot's meaning in this way. Not recommended.

Tolerable

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