Middlemarch
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $1.99
Publisher Description
By the time the novel appeared to tremendous popular and critical acclaim in 1871-2, George Eliot was recognized as England's finest living novelist. It was her ambition to create a world and portray a whole community--tradespeople, middle classes, country gentry--in the rising provincial town of Middlemarch, circa 1830. Vast and crowded, rich in narrative irony and suspense, «Middlemarch» is richer still in character, in its sense of how individual destinies are shaped by and shape the community, and in the great art that enlarges the reader's sympathy and imagination. It is truly, as Virginia Woolf famously remarked, 'one of the few English novels written for grown-up people'.
"One of the few English novels written for grown-up people." —Virginia Woolf
"What do I think of ‘Middlemarch’? What do I think of glory — except that in a few instances this 'mortal has already put on immortality.' George Eliot was one. The mysteries of human nature surpass the 'mysteries of redemption,' for the infinite we only suppose, while we see the finite." —Emily Dickinson
"‘Middlemarch’ is probably the greatest English novel." —Julian Barnes
"They've [women] produced the greatest writer in the English language ever, George Eliot, and arguably the third greatest, Jane Austen, and certainly the greatest novel, ‘Middlemarch’..." —Martin Amis
Customer Reviews
A refreshing challenge to read
As Dorothea and Celia mature into the world, their opposing views and personalities crash against societal expectations in the rural, imaginary township of Middlemarch. The cast of characters that help shape this social critique, allow for comedy and introspection in a uniquely engaging way. Much has been said about the significance of George Eliot’s works of fiction and the impact she had on English language literature — all of it is true. While, I found “Middlemarch” to be a challenging book to read, requiring frequent pause to look up historical references or redefine words I thought I knew, only to discover archaic definitions that helped make sense of the circuitous sentence structure of 18th century grammar, every challenge delivered an equally rewarding closure. You instantly get the sense that you are reading something significant, reverence is due. A saint is traveling down this road. And all the relics of religion could not make for a more spiritual, cathartic journey.