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The Well of Loneliness

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The Well of Loneliness

By: Radclyffe Hall
Narrated by: Ell Potter
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About this listen

The Well of Loneliness will go down in history as one of the world’s first published novels to depict a lesbian relationship.

After publication in 1928, it was banned for obscenity before going on to become an international best seller.

It tells the story of Stephen Gordon, an Englishwoman from an upper-class family who is ostracised for falling in love with another woman, Mary Llewellyn.

Groundbreaking in its day, Radclyffe Hall’s novel ultimately makes a very clear plea in regards to homosexuality: 'Give us also the right to our existence'.

In this exclusive production, Audible’s breakout star Ell Potter (Winter Dark, Winter Rising) breathes new life into the classic novel.

Public Domain (P)2020 Audible, Ltd Classics Fiction Genre Fiction LGBTQIA+ Creators Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Tear-jerking Winter British Classics

Behind the scenes

Ell Potter on recording during lockdown.
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The story of Steven Gordon.... or indeed Radclyffe Hall is so sad it feels wrong to give this 5 stars. But it is such a well written and wonderful story that I need to give it the honour it deserves.
it is of course a touch of its time and some language is dated and uncomfortable to the modern audience. But look past to hear the story of queerness at a time when queerness was even more forbidden than it is becoming now.
Beautifully performed - but be aware that the French is not translated so if you want to understand this answer you're not a French speaker you will need to find the text for these parts.

Almost feel bad giving this 5 stars

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very long and boring and the ending was weak
not my cup of tea

boring

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A lovely, well written story. The main characters are denied happiness at every turn partly because of their own self recriminations and those that are heaped upon them by society in general. Not satisfied with the ending but I suppose it is a reflection of the time and as much as you would like to change the past all you can do is observe and learn from the pieces leftover. This book is one of those pieces.

Sad but enlightening

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to imagine the pain anxiety depression fear loneliness rebuke and so so much more, of anyone even now told who and how to love, to hide feelings. written almost 100yrs ago this portrayal of a life in the wrong body can (and probably should) be very harrowing yet tender, a wonderful exposey of history and attitude. Ell Potter delivers powerful narration capturing my attention for long hrs into the night. those who read or are lesbian romance fans need this story to accept and be thankful for the groundbreaking novelists, but also for thier past sisters suffering to empower basic rights to love whom ever they please.

impossible

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I read a biography of Radcliffe Hall some years ago and intended to read this, I'm glad I waited for this audio! though the early chapters were slow I was intrigued to see where it went. Beautifully read/performed.
A moving story, characters are vivid. I shall be repeating this audio!

Much better than I expected

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