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3.62k reviews for:
Middlemarch: (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions) (Barnes & Noble Leatherbound Classics)
George Eliot
4.06 AVERAGE
3.62k reviews for:
Middlemarch: (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions) (Barnes & Noble Leatherbound Classics)
George Eliot
4.06 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-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
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It wasn't until I finished, and subsequently found myself missing the characters and their world, that I realized I actually did enjoy this book. There was a consistent sense of detachment between the characters and the reader, which frustrated me for most of the book - I usually prefer to establish strong attachments to my characters (especially if I'm going to be reading about them for a looong time due to a thick book!). In retrospect, I was probably able to better enjoy/appreciate the ups and downs of the Middlemarchers lives from my aloof perspective. Whatever the case, my favorite thing about the book was Eliot's perceptive understanding of human natures, motivations, and behaviors. Their logics were so well explained that I felt I understood each character perfectly as they moved about in their world. I think I'd consider reading it again in 10-20 years time, even.
challenging
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of those times I wished I hadn't rated other books as five stars because it just doesn't seem fair to this one. Middlemarch has firmly taken its place as arguably the best novel I have read thus far. Eliot's preoccupation with provincial life and the everyday lives of various people helps to create an incredible exploration of human motives and the inner workings of the mind. Eliot realistically and expertly reveals the interconnecting "web" of humanity--how the actions and perceptions of others shape an individual's own decisions. One of the first psychological novels, Eliot's Middlemarch, in my opinion, should be required reading for all. I seriously can't sing its praises enough.
George Eliot's lauded mosaic of provincial life celebrates its 150th birthday this year, so I assume I'm not the only one who was tempted to give it a go for the first time. What's striking about "Middlemarch", apart from the length, is the psychology. Eliot's ability to get inside her characters' heads, and chart out their motivating anxieties and fears and prejudice, helps "Middlemarch" feel remarkably fresh despite the distance of time and place. These fictional people in 1830s midlands Britain deal with the same stress as I deal with now, and generations to come. The way Eliot describes overthinking, in particular, is a bridge to modern literary fiction. The dialogue is terrific, too, and very often funny. I appreciate authors that make an effort of actually having different people speak in different ways, with their own quirks of speech and favorite phrases. My favorite is scatterbrained Mr. Brooke, with his "you know..." in every other sentence.
The plot tightens a bit in the scandals of the final section, but not a lot happens over the course of "Middlemarch", at least by usual dramatic standards. Sometimes the book feels genuinely never-ending, as simple miscommunications are drawn out over chapters in seeming real time. But the changes in the characters feel organic, where they might have seemed forced in a shorter work. "Middlemarch" had to be long.
The plot tightens a bit in the scandals of the final section, but not a lot happens over the course of "Middlemarch", at least by usual dramatic standards. Sometimes the book feels genuinely never-ending, as simple miscommunications are drawn out over chapters in seeming real time. But the changes in the characters feel organic, where they might have seemed forced in a shorter work. "Middlemarch" had to be long.
I love the broad spectrum of English small-town culture. I also love how snippy, insightful, and thoroughly modern Eliot's voice is at times. I do get a little bogged down in some of her long didactic passages.
It’s finally Middlemarch March! This has been two years in the making, I feel very accomplished finishing this book!
I started this book two years ago and picked it up and put it down several times before committing to finishing it this year.I will say the characters have a place in my heart they are all fleshed out very well, which should be expected for a book that is 831 pages long! I am glad I finally finished this the writing is beautiful if sometimes verbose, but I love when you’re reading a book from the 1800s and there’s small little passages where the authors sort of poking fun at things but can’t always come outright with it. Also, all of the women are very strong willed even when they are appearing demure it’s usually for some sort of purpose. It doesn’t always work, but I appreciate the determination.
This book is a commitment so if you’re ready for a long verbose read (don’t get me wrong I adored it but it was a struggle) then I say go for it, but if you want shorter social commentary I think you could find something else to read, maybe some Austen?
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated