The Patrician
John Galsworthy
Read by Simon Evers
The book revolves around the story of two love affairs. Miltoun (an aspiring politician) proposes to Mrs Audrey Noel, only to find that she is not a widow as everyone supposes, but that her husband is still alive and therefore the match is impossible. Meanwhile, Miltoun’s younger sister Barbara develops an equally unwise romance with the rebellious Courtier.
The story of what happens to these ill-matched pairs is played out against a brilliant portrayal of the Victorian upper class, its snobbery and its concerns. (The patrician in the title refers to Miltoun, who is thus called by Courtier, whose politics are the opposite to his.)
Summary by Simon Evers (9 hr 49 min)
Chapters
Part 1, Chapter 1 | 16:23 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 2 | 5:40 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 3 | 13:54 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 4 | 6:56 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 5 | 19:19 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 6 | 6:46 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 7 | 23:34 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 8 | 13:06 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 9 | 11:58 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 10 | 20:17 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 11 | 15:50 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 12 | 9:32 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 13 | 14:06 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 14 | 15:36 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 15 | 8:29 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 16 | 14:08 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 17 | 14:43 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 18 | 10:51 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 19 | 7:28 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 20 | 21:28 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 21 | 9:41 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 1, Chapter 22 | 15:03 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 1 | 13:48 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 2 | 12:01 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 3 | 14:15 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 4 | 12:55 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 5 | 10:46 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 6 | 10:39 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 7 | 6:39 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 8 | 7:33 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 9 | 6:29 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 10 | 9:12 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 11 | 9:40 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 12 | 8:06 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 13 | 7:16 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 14 | 8:24 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 15 | 4:40 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 16 | 4:56 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 17 | 10:33 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 18 | 9:47 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 19 | 5:53 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 20 | 7:28 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 21 | 13:42 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 22 | 17:43 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 23 | 6:45 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 24 | 14:44 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 25 | 9:17 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 26 | 14:51 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 27 | 9:12 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 28 | 9:58 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 29 | 15:07 | Read by Simon Evers |
Part 2, Chapter 30 | 2:47 | Read by Simon Evers |
Reviews
Captivating!
Lee
I was working a large jigsaw puzzle while listening to The Patrician. Years ago, I saw four incarnations of Galsworthy's Forsyth Saga in movies and on PBS. It was a great favorite. This book drew me in because I found the main character to be unusual and mysterious. Galsworthy offered hints as to his nature very slowly. The Patrician was an awkward boy, and became a brilliant, pragmatic, principled man. Groomed to be a member of Parliament, his choice of a wife would be key to his success and the plot turns on this choice. It is remarkable that a book written in 1929 had the power to take me away from the mundane, and I was gripped by the choices the characters were forced to make to survive the powerful strictures of morality of that time. When I'm listening to Mr. Evers, I often hear seagulls in the background and I imagine him sitting by the seashore, reading his favorite books to us.
Good Galsworthy Fare
Bookpacker
I never understand why the only Galsworthy one tends to hear on radio or watch on television is the Forsytes. He's written other books as good. This one is new to me but I chose it as I like the reader (very much enjoyed Huntingtower) and was interested to see if it would live up to expectations. So far it does. Thank you Mr Evers and Librivox.
A Flat Story
Scott in Sandy Eggo
The narrative arc of the story never rose above a brief sigh. The constrictive nature of the elderly family expectations and their ability to influence the destinies of their grandchildren is perhaps a difficult plot line to believe now, and thus furthermore disappointing that our alleged primary characters could not rise to their own challenges left a denouement that was, well… oh well.
KAB
The reader is, as always, inimitable, which is reflected in his choice of subject. This is an account of the depths at which we are touched by love, of the lengths to which it draws us, and of the far-reaching repurcussions of the choices we make.
Unrealized Potential
Liz
Rather than critique a successful novelist I will simply agree with another reviewer’s opinion that this story was…just not what I expected from John Galsworthy. As usual, excellent narration by Simon Evers.
Excellent
jbrown
Galsworthy’s prose is beautiful at times and Simon Evers delivers it flawlessly. Interesting and engaging story. Thank you LibriVox and thank you Mr. Evers.
ellene
Love and Destiny
Profoundly moving story about the ethical choices forced upon class-crossed and star-crossed lovers. Beautifully narrated by Simon Evers.
very interesting psychological novel
darthlaurel
Excellent reading. Very intense interior novel about the workings of the upper class.