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zurpel's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shimmery's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful study of character that shows human nature in all its different lights. Following the varied inhabitants of the small (fictional) midlands town of Middlemarch, this story is funny, moving sad and yet most of all hopeful (which is what I like best in a book).
It's quite amazing that a book written 150+ years ago can have characters that could have been plucked straight out of the present - they're all so recognisable and the author's overwhelming generosity to them means that each are fully formed. I had so many favourites, from the bumbling Mr Brooke to the wonderful and witty Mary Garth.
There were so many instances that made me laugh out loud - most memorably the following:
'When Mary Garth entered the kitchen and Mr Jonah Featherstone began to follow her with his cold detective eyes, young Cranch turning his head in the same direction seemed to insist on it that she should remark how he was squinting, as if he did it with design, like the gypsies when Borrow read the New Testament to them. This was rather too much for poor Mary; sometimes it made her bilious, sometimes it upset her gravity. One day that she had an opportunity she could not resist describing the kitchen scene to Fred, who would not be hindered from immediately going to see it, affecting simply to pass through. But no sooner did he face the four eyes than he had to rush through the nearest door which happened to lead to the dairy, and there under the high roof and among the pans he gave way to laughter that made a hollow resonance perfectly audible in the kitchen.'
I just love how it seems the human experience is so timeless, and there is so much to be learned from reading such excellent studies of it as this.
It's quite amazing that a book written 150+ years ago can have characters that could have been plucked straight out of the present - they're all so recognisable and the author's overwhelming generosity to them means that each are fully formed. I had so many favourites, from the bumbling Mr Brooke to the wonderful and witty Mary Garth.
There were so many instances that made me laugh out loud - most memorably the following:
'When Mary Garth entered the kitchen and Mr Jonah Featherstone began to follow her with his cold detective eyes, young Cranch turning his head in the same direction seemed to insist on it that she should remark how he was squinting, as if he did it with design, like the gypsies when Borrow read the New Testament to them. This was rather too much for poor Mary; sometimes it made her bilious, sometimes it upset her gravity. One day that she had an opportunity she could not resist describing the kitchen scene to Fred, who would not be hindered from immediately going to see it, affecting simply to pass through. But no sooner did he face the four eyes than he had to rush through the nearest door which happened to lead to the dairy, and there under the high roof and among the pans he gave way to laughter that made a hollow resonance perfectly audible in the kitchen.'
I just love how it seems the human experience is so timeless, and there is so much to be learned from reading such excellent studies of it as this.
marga28's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eva_jean's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
happylilkt's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first long (500+ pages) English literary classic I read on my own. I read it as part of an intensive author study the summer before my high school senior year. We were required to read 3 novels by a selected author, my choice being George Eliot. Naturally, I read the shorter novels, Silas Marner and Adam Bede (the poor man's Tess), first.
I knew from its beginning, "[Dorothea] Brooke had that kind of beauty which seems to be thrown into relief by poor dress" that I would love this book. What an experience it was to immerse myself in Middlemarch as a naive and idealistic seventeen year old. I did not have the beauty nor the ambition of Dorothea, but I had dark hair and enough religious and philosophical fervor to relate to her in some degree. (And shouldn't all teenagers have forewarning of the complexity and pitfalls of marriage choices??)
Eliot is masterful in setting up her tableau of marriages: the uncertainty and elation of courtship, the high expectations and (sometimes tragically) false assumptions, the incredulity—even contempt—of others' marriage choices, and the misunderstandings and disillusionment that come after the choice is made.
And yet, beside this "merry hell" there is also redemption in its various forms for many—nay, most!—of her players.
Yes, this novel is heavy in social and political commentary, but let us remember that this is how many important ideas were discussed in the parlors and drawing rooms of England—and even beyond. Tolstoy was said to be a great admirer of Eliot's works and I am happy to join him in that.
I knew from its beginning, "[Dorothea] Brooke had that kind of beauty which seems to be thrown into relief by poor dress" that I would love this book. What an experience it was to immerse myself in Middlemarch as a naive and idealistic seventeen year old. I did not have the beauty nor the ambition of Dorothea, but I had dark hair and enough religious and philosophical fervor to relate to her in some degree. (And shouldn't all teenagers have forewarning of the complexity and pitfalls of marriage choices??)
Eliot is masterful in setting up her tableau of marriages: the uncertainty and elation of courtship, the high expectations and (sometimes tragically) false assumptions, the incredulity—even contempt—of others' marriage choices, and the misunderstandings and disillusionment that come after the choice is made.
And yet, beside this "merry hell" there is also redemption in its various forms for many—nay, most!—of her players.
Yes, this novel is heavy in social and political commentary, but let us remember that this is how many important ideas were discussed in the parlors and drawing rooms of England—and even beyond. Tolstoy was said to be a great admirer of Eliot's works and I am happy to join him in that.
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a good long while to get into Middlemarch. I'm not sure if it was just the mushy condition of my brain at the time or what, but I struggled a lot with some of the speeches in the first quarter of the book. I read them, and the point just seemed to fly over my head. But then, about halfway through, the book hit its stride. Or maybe it was me that finally it my stride. Either way, I was hooked.
The real appeal of this book for me was its utter humanity. It is daunting in size because it portrays so many different characters and different stories, but they all contain evocative grains of truth. The overused quote that Middlemarch is the only real "grownup" novel slides over certain aspects, but it is true that this book confronts certain situations that other novels shy away from (all the while retaining its Victorian decorum, of course). So many novels end with the grand wedding and stop there, but George Eliot daringly sheds full light on the humdrum and sometimes messy results when two people decide to join their lives together. The disillusionment is not glossed over. And I think perhaps I learned some good lessons that might serve me well if I am ever in the position to be married. Middlemarch is not just about marriage. It is also very much about the tangled details of a community. By portraying characters from different places in the social sphere, you get to see how they all interact and bounce off each other.
It is really impossible to summarize Middlemarch in just a few sentences, it encompasses SO much! Their are so many clever quotes, characters, and details of all different kinds that I think almost anyone could fall in love with it. I certainly did and hope to return to it again someday to sift through its riches and find more gems.
The real appeal of this book for me was its utter humanity. It is daunting in size because it portrays so many different characters and different stories, but they all contain evocative grains of truth. The overused quote that Middlemarch is the only real "grownup" novel slides over certain aspects, but it is true that this book confronts certain situations that other novels shy away from (all the while retaining its Victorian decorum, of course). So many novels end with the grand wedding and stop there, but George Eliot daringly sheds full light on the humdrum and sometimes messy results when two people decide to join their lives together. The disillusionment is not glossed over. And I think perhaps I learned some good lessons that might serve me well if I am ever in the position to be married. Middlemarch is not just about marriage. It is also very much about the tangled details of a community. By portraying characters from different places in the social sphere, you get to see how they all interact and bounce off each other.
It is really impossible to summarize Middlemarch in just a few sentences, it encompasses SO much! Their are so many clever quotes, characters, and details of all different kinds that I think almost anyone could fall in love with it. I certainly did and hope to return to it again someday to sift through its riches and find more gems.
stellareadsandwrites's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
It's been a while since I read a hefty classic like this one and it was certainly a challenge! It took me well over 100 pages to get into the story and when I finally finished, it felt like I'd been reading it for years 😭
That being said, I did enjoy this book. Once I was invested in the characters and intertwined storylines, I was more motivated to read, and I really loved the "Finale" chapter - a satisfying end to the various plots and relationships.
Eliot's prose is truly admirable; her attention to detail and ability to write about anything and everything is something few writers achieve. I was especially struck by her descriptions of each character's emotions, and often she would flick seamlessly back and forth between two or more characters in a single scene.
I feel a little ridiculous critiquing authors in The Canon™️ but I think this book was just too long, at least for me. The writing style didn't quite connect with me in the way that other classic authors have, and I don't feel compelled to read any more of Eliot's work. But it taught me a lot about that period in history and I certainly feel accomplished having read it now!
That being said, I did enjoy this book. Once I was invested in the characters and intertwined storylines, I was more motivated to read, and I really loved the "Finale" chapter - a satisfying end to the various plots and relationships.
Eliot's prose is truly admirable; her attention to detail and ability to write about anything and everything is something few writers achieve. I was especially struck by her descriptions of each character's emotions, and often she would flick seamlessly back and forth between two or more characters in a single scene.
I feel a little ridiculous critiquing authors in The Canon™️ but I think this book was just too long, at least for me. The writing style didn't quite connect with me in the way that other classic authors have, and I don't feel compelled to read any more of Eliot's work. But it taught me a lot about that period in history and I certainly feel accomplished having read it now!
caitlin_rose98's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0