Middlemarch

by George Eliot
Middlemarch cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Literary Fiction
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Technical
  • ID: 10434
  • Added: 2026-01-25
  • Updated: 2026-02-03
  • ISBN: 9780141439549
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2003-03-25
  • Formats: 16
  • Reviews: 3

George Eliot's Middlemarch is a sweeping narrative that captures the essence of a rising provincial town in 1830s England. The novel intricately weaves together the lives of various characters, from tradespeople to the gentry, offering a rich tapestry of human experiences and societal dynamics. /n/n Through its detailed portrayal of Middlemarch, the novel delves into themes of ambition, love, and the complexities of human relationships. Eliot's profound understanding of her characters and their motivations makes this a timeless exploration of community and individuality.

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.

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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