Comments on things mean a lot: Middlemarch by George Eliot

I was pretty intimidated by the book going in, but...

2011-04-04T15:10:06.463+01:00

I was pretty intimidated by the book going in, but I must say it did not take too long for me to get sucked in. You can see my review here:

http://nishitak.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/middlemarch-my-thoughts/

I was waiting to read your Middlemarch review unti...

2010-09-18T02:40:07.803+01:00

I was waiting to read your Middlemarch review until after I had written my review posts of Middlemarch. You have done a masterful job of describing the themes and tone of Middlemarch. I love the quote you include from A.S. Byatt. I love your discussion of feminism & Middlemarch. Also, coincidentally, the quote about "That element of tragedy which lies in the very fact . . ." is one that I also had picked for my own review.

In case you are still planning to update the links on this page, here is a link to review #1: http://agoodstoppingpoint.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/middlemarch-by-george-eliot/

And here is a link to review #2:
http://agoodstoppingpoint.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/middlemarch-post-2-a-parade-of-characters/

It's totally okay if there's a moratorium on the updates, but I thought I'd include them just in case.

Hi Ana, I wanted so much to read this but haven...

2010-09-05T12:18:10.449+01:00

Hi Ana, I wanted so much to read this but haven't found the courage to do so. It's on my bookshelf, though. Your excellent review is giving me that slight push to do it...

Wow, what a great response to the novel! I loved i...

2010-09-03T12:21:45.102+01:00

Wow, what a great response to the novel! I loved it in the end too.

I think what you say in the very beginning is why I like it so much too. It's full of "complex, flawed, realistic human beings" and I too loved how it was romantic by being realistic. It made it far more engaging and, as you say, heart-breaking when it ended. I loved being a part of that community for so long, even though it was full of sad and unsatisfied people.

You have far more sympathy for Rosamond than I did. I really disliked her!

Ana - Not done with Middlemarch yet, but here is m...

2010-08-29T22:05:46.386+01:00

Ana - Not done with Middlemarch yet, but here is my progress report! :)

http://agoodstoppingpoint.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/blog-update/

That was long, indeed!:) But an excellent review. ...

2010-08-29T17:08:23.335+01:00

That was long, indeed!:) But an excellent review. I got stuck after 238 pages and just had to read somehing else. I'll get back to Middlemarch later. I've liked the book this far. It is just somehow very slow reading for me.

Greetings,
Tiina

I loved reading your wonderful and brilliant revie...

2010-08-28T20:31:49.789+01:00

I loved reading your wonderful and brilliant review, Ana! You have covered such a vast range of topics in your review that I don't even know how to comment on it :)

I loved your comment "through Dorothea is almost absent for hundreds of pages at a time." :) I remembered the opening line of one of the chapters of the book, when I read your comment : "One morning, some weeks after her arrival at Lowick, Dorothea - but why always Dorothea?" :) I personally wish Dorothea had come for more pages in the book. I really adored her character.

I also loved your comment - "her father Caleb Grant (one of my favourite characters, and about whom I could write a whole post)" :) Caleb Garth is one of my favourite characters too :)

I loved all your favourite passages, especially the one on hearing the heart grow and the squirrel's heartbeat.

On Lydgate and Rosamond - I actually liked Rosamond's character for most of the book, though things become tough for her and Lydgate after a while and Rosamond is not able to see things from another person's perspective.

I love the cover of the edition that you read. Is that Dorothea contemplating on something?

Thanks for hosting this read-along and for this brilliant review!

You can find my review here - http://vishytheknight.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/book-review-no-20-middlemarch-by-george-eliot/

I would like to read this one day. 'an epic an...

2010-08-28T00:28:45.437+01:00

I would like to read this one day.
'an epic and bittersweet story about all the rights and wrongs that form a human life; and a story that tells even of triumphs with a tone of melancholy'-
Thats beautifully put.

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Nymeth I think my troubles can be summarised witho...

2010-08-27T12:06:09.741+01:00

Nymeth I think my troubles can be summarised without spoiling it for you: for me the book became a bit dull when the narrative focused on Daniel Deronda. Although there was lots of magical moments surrounding him where Elliot explains life in a way which makes you automatically more enlightened (she really was a genius about human nature) I much preferred Gwendoline even though she is possibly an awful person and I kind of think Eliot would hate me for saying that ;P

I've gotten my halfway post up. http://sillyli...

2010-08-27T05:53:27.616+01:00

I've gotten my halfway post up. http://sillylittlemischief.blogspot.com/2010/08/thoughts-on-middlemarch-halfway.html

ibeeeg: I completely understand the intimidation, ...

2010-08-25T23:02:32.059+01:00

ibeeeg: I completely understand the intimidation, but I think you'll find it worth it. And also, thank you so much for saying that kindly! I did get a bit carried away this time ;)

Melanie: Thank you again for joining in! The Garths were wonderful, weren't they? I'm clicking over to read your thoughts in a minute :)

This is a wonderful post, enumerating everything t...

2010-08-25T02:29:35.536+01:00

This is a wonderful post, enumerating everything that you gained through reading this book. Thanks for the encouragement to keep going past the slow (for me) beginning; I enjoyed reading this one even if I didn't completely love it. Glad to have met all these characters (especially the Garths, I so agree!)

What a great review! I have always thought of rea...

2010-08-25T01:40:22.078+01:00

What a great review! I have always thought of reading this book, but never made the plunge. I think...no, scratch that, I *know* that I am intimidated by the book because I have heard mixed things about the story. Your review has convinced me that I really should give this read a chance.

By the way: I am glad to know that I am not the only one who can write long reviews, but I think you win in that department. Don't get me wrong, I say this in great kindness because I do like your style. It is very cool to read the details of what you liked, disliked, etc. about a book. Fantastic!

Bybee: I remember you saying before you've bee...

2010-08-24T20:49:40.047+01:00

Bybee: I remember you saying before you've been re-reading it every decade, which I think is an absolutely lovely idea!

Vishy: Don't worry, take your time! There's no rush whatsoever - only in that I'm absolutely dying to hear what you thought :P And yes, I did feel quite accomplished once I finished ;)

Helen: Thank you for participating! I loved your post :)

Meghan: I know what you mean! That's the trouble with dead authors :P

Kinna: Thank you for the kind words!

Emidy: It IS huge, but very much worth the time investment :)

Stephanie: I really think you would!

Staci: You most definitely could! It might take a while, sure, but it'd be worth it.

Emily Jane: Thank you! And yes you must.

Veens: Thank you for the kind words! This is one of those books that really, really spoke to me, and so I got a bit carried away when writing about it :P I understand being scared, but now I look back and wish I'd read it sooner!

Heidenkind: Thank you!

Katherine Langrish: You're most welcome :) There's so much here to love.

Jodie: I'd absolutely love to hear what your trouble with Daniel Deronda was, but I guess I'd better read the book first :P Also, aww - the intended internet hug is very much appreciated ;) That baffles me too about omniscient narrators - they don't necessarily equal the author pointing a gun to your head, after all. And an omniscient narrator can be as unreliable as a close third person or a first person one, which leaves lots of potential for all kinds of interesting storytelling tricks.

Ladytink: I actually didn't think so! But then again I'm weird in that I actually enjoy convoluted Victorian syntax :P

I've heard that this is a well written story b...

2010-08-24T11:36:31.649+01:00

I've heard that this is a well written story but kind of difficult to read.

Such an excellent post! You reminded me of all the...

2010-08-24T09:58:17.378+01:00

Such an excellent post! You reminded me of all the best things about Elliot and have me wondering why I am always thinking so ill of Daniel Deronda.

And this:

'There’s something a little tragic about being the only person in the room who lacks social artfulness, who doesn’t play power games, and who’s trying to have honest, soulful conversations about topics that aren’t deemed fit for polite society. In addition to all this, I loved Dorothea for her generous spirit and for her unflinching kindness – for being the only person who would say, “I believe that people are almost always better than their neighbours think they are”.'

is perfect, such an honest expression. Makes me want to give you a big internet hug.

Love your comments about authorial voice. I don't think I understood until this year that omniscient narrator was now considered rather bad, rather than just out of fashion. I'm still not sure I understand why because to me it doesn't seem limiting, it just provides enlightenment on how the author would like you to view the novel - we're not obliged to agree with them. Interesting to hear AS Byatt's views on Elliot's choice - thanks for including her quote.

Andi: The time investment is definitely worth it. ...

2010-08-24T09:15:17.398+01:00

Andi: The time investment is definitely worth it. You'll get so much out of this one!

JoAnn: I can't imagine managing both this AND Bleak House in close succession :P I do hope you return to it sometime, though! And I need to get to Bleak House myself, but only after a break from long classics :P

Amanda: I think you'd enjoy it, but it's such a time investment that I understand hesitating unless you're sure you'd really like it.

Zibilee: I did get carried away this time, but thank you for reading ;) I've no doubt you'd really enjoy this!

Kathy: It is approachable! It takes forever to read, yes, but it's such a good story.

Clare: I'm glad to have convinced you!

Trisha: Thank you! I'm glad I finally listened ;)

Jenny: My younger self might have overidentified with Dorothea too :P I hope you do give it another try! I read it as my secondary book for two months and a half, and it worked perfectly that way.

Debi: lol :P And yes, they really really are!

Bellezza: Thank you again for participating! I love the passages you picked.

Emily: I was mostly teasing about the Modernists ;) I absolutely agree with you that it's not just how Rosamond was socialised that is the problem. Lydgate does expect that from a partner, and doesn't quite seem able to treat her as a capable adult. I do agree that the story is harsher on her than on him, but I was pleasantly surprised that it points fingers at the pattern behind it all rather than at these people in particular. Caleb and Mary Garth were indeed wonderful! I really loved their work ethic too.

Steph: I know what you mean, as I tend to forget that myself! But that sense of immersion is a wonderful thing.

Shelley: It really is a masterpiece :)

Gricel: Yes - I couldn't agree more! And that line was powerful indeed.

Chris: If I ever tell you you can't possibly understand or relate to something because you're a guy, please kick me in the shins ;) I hope you do return to it some day, and take your time without worries or deadlines. It helps to make it your secondary book... that way, you won't feel that your reading is stalling, and before you know it you're done.

I absolutely love this book, so thanks for writing...

2010-08-24T08:45:39.958+01:00

I absolutely love this book, so thanks for writing about it and reminding me all over again how wonderful it is.

Great review, Nymeth! You obviously took a lot ou...

2010-08-24T04:23:40.608+01:00

Great review, Nymeth! You obviously took a lot out of this novel, and it was very interesting to read about what you loved out of it.

Also congrats on getting through it--I'm pretty sure I never could. :)

I find your thoughts so profound. I have not read ...

2010-08-24T02:01:46.726+01:00

I find your thoughts so profound. I have not read anyone put in so much into writing a post about a book... I am intrigued. :)
And well I know I will be scared to read this book, but maybe I will be able to do it too :)

This is an excellent review! I am now convinced th...

2010-08-24T01:20:29.550+01:00

This is an excellent review! I am now convinced that I MUST read this book, ASAP.

This is a book that intrigues me and also intimida...

2010-08-24T00:43:42.652+01:00

This is a book that intrigues me and also intimidates me!! I really enjoyed your thoughts on this and feel that after reading it and your other posts that some day I may actually feel like I could accomplish reading this one!

I have wanted to read George Eliot for the longest...

2010-08-23T23:50:16.865+01:00

I have wanted to read George Eliot for the longest time! This sounds like a book I would enjoy.

You know, I saw this in the library last week and ...

2010-08-23T22:08:12.516+01:00

You know, I saw this in the library last week and almost picked it up! But I didn't, simply because it's so, so huge. I thought it would take me forever to read it. I'm regretting that now! Middlemarch sounds like a delight to read.

Bravo! Wonderful! Middlemarch is one of my all-ti...

2010-08-23T21:48:03.601+01:00

Bravo! Wonderful! Middlemarch is one of my all-time favs and reading your review makes me want to reread it. Thanks.