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The Europeans

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The Europeans

By: Henry James
Narrated by: Eleanor Bron
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About this listen

 Eugenia, an American expatriate brought up in Europe, arrives in rural New England with her charming brother Felix, hoping to find a wealthy second husband after the collapse of her marriage to a German prince.

Their exotic, sophisticated airs cause quite a stir with their affluent, God-fearing American cousins, the Wentworth's - and provoke the disapproval of their uncle, suspicious of foreign influences. To Gertrude Wentworth, struggling against her somber puritan upbringing, the arrival of the handsome Felix is especially enchanting.

©2009 Henry James (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Classics Marriage Feel-Good

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All stars
Most relevant  
I love Henry James but somehow this story didn’t grab me, with Eleanor Bron’s superb narration. I must be missing something!

Didn’t grab me!

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Interesting reflection on cultural diversity between the “Old World” and the “New” in nineteenth century. Rather wordy in places. Eleanor Bron’s narration was excellent.

Perfect narration

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Eleanor Bron must be one of Henry James’ most perfect readers. A graceful book, not too long, masterly as always.

Beautiful reading

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If you could sum up The Europeans in three words, what would they be?

Light enjoyable floss

What did you like best about this story?

The story line never flagged over the 6 hours

What about Eleanor Bron’s performance did you like?

By light and shade, speed and inflection of the voice she made it sound as if she found the various intrigues interesting. The participation of such a well-known radio broadcaster was a surprise.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Floss doesn't 'move' at all.

Any additional comments?

Light and airy conversations between readily forgotten and lightly defined nobodies is not my choice normally. However, an author like this at the top of the pile makes all the difference.

Upper class romances

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Eleanor Bron is a perfect reader - the accents are all well observed, she is clear and subtle. This is one of the best Henry James books, because he did not revise it for the New York edition, to which end he spoiled so many of his other novels. Although he is notorious for his less than happy endings, I feel that this book has a happy ending, or perhaps a satisfactory ending. I love the last sentence, so simple and naive after the complications of this character's role in the story. A beautifully observed piece of fiction, and a charming view of the surroundings of Boston more than a century ago.

The very best of all the Audibles

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The short novella detailing the arrival of Eugenia Munster and Felix Young and their impact on the small family circle is, as ever with Henry James, masterly executed - earning The Europeans its epithet.

A real feel of the new world and a reflection of Jane Austen, with epigrammatic asides worthy of Wilde - “How could one live without curtains” - how indeed?

The abrupt ending seems to reflect the fact that this novel first appeared in serialised form - and is the only serious let down in what has become the standard for the Old World/New Money dialectic that was taken up by Wharton and Fitzgerald. Bettered on this form, but never bettered when best, James remains an essential read standing uniquely astride late Victorian and early modern English and American literature. A must read.

Selling Europe by the Harvard Yard

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I found the voice devoid of feeling, flat and a bit shrill. What a thing to do to Henry James!

Wrong narrator

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Really not one of James' best

extremely boring

slog to get through

incest and petty relationship nonsense

dull trite storyline

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