Middlemarch

By: George Eliot

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 31 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Middlemarch is a recognized masterpiece that explores the complex social world of 19th century England. It is concerned with the lives of several ordinary people, albeit ones with high social standing. The novel explores the very fabric of Victorian society in the 1800s, showing how various human passions, heroism, egotism, love, and lust, interrelate within this society.

The novel is set in the small town of Middlemarch and follows the inter-related lives of several characters. At the heart of the book is Dorothea, a kind-hearted and honest woman, who longs to find some way to improve the world. She marries an older academic, Casaubon, against the advice of her friends and family. Casaubon tries to assert his influence over Dorothea, but she refuses to succumb to Casaubon's will. Casaubon soon dies of a heart attack, and Dorothea marries his cousin, Will. But, in a last attempt to control Dorothea's life, Casaubon's will states that if Dorothea marries Will, she will lose her claim to Casaubon's estate.

Other unforgettable characters in Middlemarch include the young doctor, Lydgate, who come to the town to start his own practice. He soon falls in love with Rosamund, a woman who has spent her life in Middlemarch, and they eventually marry. Fred Vincey, used to a lavish lifestyle but also a gambler, falls into debt as he waits to inherit money from a rich neighbor. He drifts toward the clergy, and longs to marry Mary Garth. But until he proves himself worthy, Mary will have nothing to do with him.

(P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Great reading, great book.

Would you listen to Middlemarch again? Why?

George Eliot creates a whole world that is now completely real to me. I'd like to spend time with these characters again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Fred Vincy-- reminds me of myself. Also Lydgate because he is complex. And of course Dorothea-- even though she is so good all the time I am able to appreciate her for it.

Wonderful

Loved every moment. Beautiful. Transcendent. Inspiring. Pleasurable. Great. Could not stop listening. Thank you. Recommend.

Great story, dense prose

It took me a bit to "get into" this book, and at one point I was ready to quit, but then I got hooked on the story - and it is a great story, and now I can't wait to listen to this book again! Kate Reading is one of my favorite narrators.

Masterpiece

Of course, this is a must. Read this first in a university class Women in Literature. There is everything right about this story.

Engrossing, non-stuffy entertainment!

I was looking for something to take me through a VERY long car trip, and I admit I was a little skeptical given the length of the book and that it was a "classic," but I can see why this style of novel was so popular in the days before TV. This collection of characters from a small town in England are distinct and throughly entertaining. The storytelling was so good that I found myself looking forward to getting in the car again to find out what happened next. The narrator is wonderful-- much better than I thought she would be given the price and the size of the book. I read Middlemarch in high school, and didn't enjoy it nearly as much. I highly recommend giving this a try!

Wonderful classic

After listening through Dickens and Austen, among other British writers, George Elliot rates among the best with wonderful dialogue and storytelling. The reader is excellent.

my favorite 19th C novel

For almost 40 years I thought that no 19th century novel would displace Austen in my little world, but Eliot's prose and her commentary on women's roles and social change, especially with regards to religion, family roles, and morals converted me. What a bridge bewteen the world of Austen and late Victorian novels. I read the paperback when I was much younger, but only came to apppreciate the novel as I listened to it. Kate Reading was fabulous.

Published 146 years ago and still fabulous!

Middlemarch is set in a town in England in the early 1800's. The book is written by George Eliot, a pen name for a woman (Mary Ann Evans). She wrote under a male pen name in order to be taken seriously in the time and escape stereotyping. For our benefit, I am glad she did, or this work of art might be lost to us for all time. This work is beautifully written with description stuffed into every sentence like a delicious, decadent confection. The the language is 150 years old, listening to it performed made it accessible and very enjoyable. I especially love Kate Reading's narration. She is a master and it is fit, that a woman of her talent convey this work with some much passion.

The story's heroine is Dorothea Brook. Secondary heroes and heroines include Tertius Lydgatye, Will Laidislaw, Mary Garth, and Fred Vincy. You are especially close to these characters as circumstances change around them and they grow in your imagination and good wishes. Eliot is careful to fully develop those characters evolving around the hero/heroine set and show their full colors.

The town's political and social ecosystem is the protagonist throughout the entire work. Unlike many works that foreshadow way too much, Eliot uses this device sparingly so you may only peer a bit ahead with a guess, which may likely be as inaccurate. This story is so believable, touching so many varied emotions that it must be underscored to take ones time. Eliot wraps up the work's loose ends into a nice package which Hollywood should take note of.

I want to especially encourage followers to listen to this book. It's on many of the best 100 books of all times and in many, it is in the top ten for most. My literary soul is better for it.

Wonderful

I'll admit that I'd only ever heard this narrator reading trash, and I confess that I got this version out of a somewhat twisted idea that it might be funny, but the narration was perfect.
Elliot is, as always, delightful. You need some historical knowledge to fully appriciate all of it, but most of it translates surprisingly well to modern life. There are parts where the sarcasm is a bit thick, but overall Middlemarch has earned its place as a classic by having a compelling story mixed with witty and touching writing.
Well worth the credit.

Unknown Saint

In the opening pages Elliott presents the notion of an unknown saint, then proceeds to flesh this character out in the exquisite detail of an entire world. In result both the human complexity and secret logic of such divinity is revealed. It's a breathtaking lesson in the possibility of soul. The narrator couldn't have helped more. Wow.