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A review by booksbythewindow
Felix Holt: The Radical by George Eliot, Lynda Mugglestone
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
For full review: https://booksbythewindow.wordpress.com/2023/03/01/felix-holt-the-radical/
Summary: Felix Holt: The Radical is set in the rural village of Little Treby, just after the passing of the 1832 Reform Act and detailing the first local election to take place in the village after the act. Like Middlemarch, Felix Holt follows multiple characters through this time but the focus is on the eponymous Felix Holt, independent minister Rufus Lyon, his daughter Esther, and the wealthy Harold Transome, who is to stand for election as a radical candidate. With political tensions being stoked, the village begins to move towards inevitable tragedy, one which will impact every character.
Overall Thoughts: Felix Holt was a great surprise for me as I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, despite my love for both Middlemarch and The Mill on the Floss. As is often the case with George Eliot’s works, it is the character work which really stands out throughout Felix Holt and I was fully invested in the lives of the protagonists, despite their flaws. The slow pacing allows the reader to invest in the characters, building tension for the climax of the narrative. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Middlemarch, as there are enough similarities between the two that it is likely to also be an enjoyable read. I do think that some familiarity with George Eliot’s writing style and pacing would probably be helpful in terms of fully enjoying Felix Holt, particularly in the pacing of the first half of the narrative, but overall this is a great example of what makes Eliot such a strong and memorable writer.
Summary: Felix Holt: The Radical is set in the rural village of Little Treby, just after the passing of the 1832 Reform Act and detailing the first local election to take place in the village after the act. Like Middlemarch, Felix Holt follows multiple characters through this time but the focus is on the eponymous Felix Holt, independent minister Rufus Lyon, his daughter Esther, and the wealthy Harold Transome, who is to stand for election as a radical candidate. With political tensions being stoked, the village begins to move towards inevitable tragedy, one which will impact every character.
Overall Thoughts: Felix Holt was a great surprise for me as I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, despite my love for both Middlemarch and The Mill on the Floss. As is often the case with George Eliot’s works, it is the character work which really stands out throughout Felix Holt and I was fully invested in the lives of the protagonists, despite their flaws. The slow pacing allows the reader to invest in the characters, building tension for the climax of the narrative. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Middlemarch, as there are enough similarities between the two that it is likely to also be an enjoyable read. I do think that some familiarity with George Eliot’s writing style and pacing would probably be helpful in terms of fully enjoying Felix Holt, particularly in the pacing of the first half of the narrative, but overall this is a great example of what makes Eliot such a strong and memorable writer.