Middlemarch

by George Eliot
Middlemarch cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £4.99–£14.99 Hardback • £12.99–£25.00
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Technical
  • ID: 10434
  • Added: 2026-01-25
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9780192825070
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
  • Published: 1997-01-01
  • Formats: 16
  • Reviews: 4

In Middlemarch, George Eliot crafts a rich tapestry of life in a provincial town, delving into the complexities of human nature and societal norms. The novel is renowned for its intricate character studies and profound exploration of moral and philosophical questions./n/nThis new critical edition includes an insightful introduction by Felicia Bonaparte, providing readers with additional context and analysis of Eliot's work.

Reviews
Miller's Book Review · Joel J Miller · 2024-11-20
good 4.00

Middlemarch is an excellent read with compelling and beautiful insights. It offers an honest and moving take on everyday interactions.

Joel J Miller found Middlemarch to be an excellent read with compelling and beautiful insights. The novel offers an honest and moving take on everyday interactions that we often take for granted. Miller appreciates the depth and complexity of the characters and their interconnected lives. The book's exploration of important historical events adds to its richness and makes it a standout work.

Quick quotes

    It's excellent. Cool.

    I found something about it very compelling and beautiful.

    An honest but nonetheless moving take on everyday interactions that we take for granted.

Kara.reviews · Kara Babcock · 2020-08-31
excellent 5.00

Middlemarch is a lengthy but rewarding read with moments of breathing room and insight. It is not as dense as many of Dickens' works, making it accessible despite its length.

Kara Babcock highlights that Middlemarch, while long, is not as dense as many of Dickens' novels. She appreciates the moments of breathing room and insight that make the book accessible and rewarding. The novel's exploration of characters' lives and their interconnectedness is a pleasure to read. The prose is succinct and engaging, making it an enjoyable experience despite the length.

Quick quotes

    Yes, Middlemarch is as long as many Dickens novels, but it is not as dense.

    It has plenty of breathing room, moments where you can pause and reflect.

    The novel's exploration of characters' lives and their interconnectedness is a pleasure to read.

Female Scriblerian · 2016-07-08
immersive 3.50

The plot ambles along, taking detours into description and resurfacing, leaving the reader to ponder the depth of the narrative.

The reviewer finds Middlemarch to be a book that luxuriates in taking its time to develop its plot. The narrative ambles along, taking detours into detailed descriptions and resurfacing in a way that leaves the reader to ponder the depth of the story. This pacing is seen as a strength, allowing for a rich and immersive experience. The reviewer also appreciates the book's ability to capture the essence of its time period, providing a vivid portrayal of the societal norms and personal struggles of the characters. The book is praised for its ability to engage the reader on multiple levels, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    It's a book that luxuriates in taking its time to get there.

    The plot ambles along, taking detours into description and resurfacing leaving you ...

    The narrative ambles along, taking detours into detailed descriptions and resurfacing in a way that leaves the reader to ponder the depth of the story.

The Guardian · 2014-02-10
great 4.50

Middlemarch exerts a hypnotic power over its readers, making it a standout novel. The book's depth and complexity inspire a unique level of engagement.

The Guardian's review emphasizes the hypnotic power that Middlemarch holds over its readers. The novel's depth and complexity make it a standout work that inspires a unique level of engagement. The interconnected lives of the characters and the novel's exploration of important historical events add to its richness. The book's ability to captivate readers is a testament to its enduring appeal.

Quick quotes

    Middlemarch is one of those books that can exert an almost hypnotic power over its readers.

    Few other titles in this series will inspire quite the same level of engagement.

    The interconnected lives of the characters and the novel's exploration of important historical events add to its richness.

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