Middlemarch by George Eliot - Readalong

[CramptonHodnet]

This is the Readalong thread for anyone feeling brave enough to tackle this huge novel this autumn/winter

Placemarking. I’m listening to an audio version but gave up .. maybe I should join you all!

Yes do join us, Pint. The more the merrier

Feeling slightly intimidated by your title there, HappyDays

Heavens, HappyDays!

Are we all ready for such in depth analysis?! I hope you don't cock a snoot at less highfalutin offerings...

Or perhaps the discussion is going to be all like this... in which case I'd better slink off

@IrmaFayLear
Does everyone else read every note or do you tend to ignore them?

Absolutely not!

But I do usually look up (nothing deep, just Wiki) historical stuff that comes up generally in any of these VicLit novels - voting reform, for example, the Poor Laws, the Corn Laws - as it does tend to make some of the events a bit clearer.

I once wrote an A-level essay about Middlemarch entitled 'Moral choice and subjective vision'

One of my favourite books

HappyDays I think that dissertation sounds great, actually! I shall keep that question in mind while I read. My recollection of MM is that there's quite a bit in there on the question of religion and or possibly versus "truth of feeling"... Humphrey Cadwallader, Ladislaw, Casaubon, Uncle Brooke, Dorothea, Celia, Sir James Chettam, the Garths, Bulstrode... it's a great theme.

I'd love to start discussing as I've leapt in with both feet (got plenty of time at the moment), but I fear that it's too hard without spoiling it for people who've not yet done the reading. Maybe we should have discussions a week in arrears, so to speak? (Rather than trying to discuss during Reading Week but avoiding spoilers for those who haven't yet found the time?)

I'm also signed up on Victober on Goodreads, by the way, if anyone wants to take a look at that - happy as a pig in poo, me!

Ooooh - yes please! I did Middlemarch for A-level, back in 1977, and absolutely loved it. However, my historical knowledge is pants, and I'm sure I didn't get the nuances or context at all.

I tried to read it again a few years ago and just couldn't get back into it, so this will be a great opportunity.

I have another book to finish, which I will do in the next day or so, so I'll jump into Middlemarch then.

Can I join in too? Hoping I have a copy somewhere.

Maybe we should have discussions a week in arrears, so to speak? (Rather than trying to discuss during Reading Week but avoiding spoilers for those who haven't yet found the time?) Yes, that would certainly allow more reading time before discussions start. I know it would be hard to avoid spoilers beforehand.

Irma - I'm haven't studied Middlemarch before and my A Levels were a very long time ago. So we're probably on an equal level here

And yes, do join in BIWI and Wolfie

Fab, @Wolfiefan and @BIWI, more readers! We're on chapters 1-4 this week!

Should we appoint a Leader? It was Crampton's idea, so I say she should do the introducing and lead the discussion. (If she wants to, that is!) . We do seem to have the Middlemarch Virgins vs. the Middlemarch Experts...

I'm sure I'd make a very good leader of discussions . I suppose I hadn't really thought how we would discuss our reading but hoped perhaps the first past the post wrote what they thought so far and it would flow from there.

Or should we have topics for discussion each week, based on what arises in those chapters?

Gahhhh. I'm NOT sure I'd make a very good leader ...

I have to go to work now, and I'd rather stay on Mumsnet...

FWIW, my twopenn'orth is that I think it would be a bit arduous for someone to decide what the topics are for the week, not least because they're not always obvious!

Perhaps the topics could emerge as a consequence of what people post in response to the four chapters? That would also keep it inclusive for people who "read" in different ways - some people are going to come to it fresh and maybe they're going to want to chat about the developing story and character motivation, maybe others are going to want to locate it in the Victorian context or in the tradition of literary realism ... something for everyone!

My preference would be to keep discussions informal, and just enjoy the journey, chatting about whatever arises from those chapters.

DH was working at home today and we started watching the DVD at lunchtime as well.

I can't find my old copy.

I'll begin with an online version.

Irma : I did A levels a long time ago but they were the sort you didn't need to write essays for! So I look forward to reading others' wise comments while enjoying the read.

I well remember the BBC version with Rufus Sewell.

I've read them...I'll have forgotten them by the time we discuss, I reckon!

You didn't need to write essays for A Level? We didn't have continuous assessment, but had to bash out essays in the exams.

I did The Mill on the Floss for A Level. Hated it. Remember waffling in the exam about the role of the river in the book.

Maths and Science student.

Can I join you? In true Victorian style I am confined to the sofa with a broken leg and slowly dying from ennui. I hadn't read any Victorian novels for decades, but was obliged to read Silas Marner for GD1's GCSE this year.

That sounds miserable, missclimpson. We're reading the first four chapters this week and discussing them from next week, so dive in when you're ready

Thank you. I have an infinite amount of time available. 😊

Oh no missclimpson. Get well soon.
Well I can't find my copy anywhere. Amazon prime time?