Has anyone read Middlemarch?

[Lonelymum]

Does it ever become readable? I am struggling on only Chapter two and really want to throw in the towel but I am aware that I have hardly read any of it. This was chosen as one of the nation's top 100 books? Unbelievable!

Yes - but only because I had to. Read that and Mill on the Floss for my degree and haven't been near a George Eliot novel since.

Yes I read it earlier this year. It does get easier. I remember really enjoying in the end, but it did take a bit of perseverance to get into. And I also found some of the things that happened in it incredibly infuriating (ie "how could they be so stupid" sort of thing!) I think it's worth your while if you can handle it for a bit longer. Keep on going

I've read it and yes, it does become readable. I found the TV adaptation unwatchable though, it was as if they wanted to make it as dull as they possibly could.

Hate George Eliot in general though.

I read Mill on the FLoss too because I had to (for my final year of high school English exams). Found it a bit the same. Hard to get into but enjoyable once you get into it.

Give me Jane Austen any day!

Can't you pick one of the other 99 instead ?

Well, when the top 100 were revealed on TV, I wrote down the ones I hadn't read but thought I would like to try. There were about 6 (not sure whether that says I am well-read or have little interest in literature!) I can't quite remember which they were, except that "Goodnight Mr Tom" was one. I read that and thought it was lovely, although obviously, as a children's book, not in the same league as Middlemarch. I think MM is the only one of the 6 left. I must admit, I opted out of reading Mill on the Floss when studying A level English, and now I know why! Still, I have to give it a bit more of a go, don't I? Of to try another page!

When I was a teenager, George Eliot was my very very favorite writer and we didn't even have to read her books for school. Been a very long time though since I've read any of them. I think I may try them again.

Middlemarch is a great book although it does take some getting into but it is worth it.

I read it over about 3 days, just after finishing my Finals. My head was still buzzing after writing 8 exams in 10 days and I needed something to use up all my adrenalin with. One of my friends, who was reading English, recommended it. I thought it was wonderful - very moving and engrossing.

I'm about to start reading it. Never read any George Eliot at all so I've no idea if I'll like it!

One of the best comments I've heard made on George Eliot is that she writes for grown ups.

I had to read it for discussion purposes and to write an essay on it for my English degree - found it so tiresome that i just rented out the video and watched that - luckily the essay was quite general and didnt need too many "textual references"!!!!!!

I prefer ' Adam Bede ' - very exciting, lots of sex and secret pregnancies, hangings etc....never did read Middlemarch but I quite like some of her other things, Mill on the Floss and esp Adam Bede.

Update: I have reached Chapter 7 and it has got a bit better, more readable. There have been one or two references to the social and political life of the 1830s which interests me more than the philosophy stuff as I am a history graduate and fanatic.
MissusWoman, have you started it yet? Perhaps we could share our feelings about it if we are reading it at the same time?

Don't give up on it. The story will draw you in. I hvae read all george elliot's books and love her stuff. Time for me to reread them again. Middlemarch is challenging but worth it.

a wonderful book which i recomend whenever i get the chance. good story and full of compassion for the human condition. also very funny at times.
please read on

I read this a few years ago when in a reading group and really enjoyed it, though I've forgotten a lot about it. Jane Austen's books are mainly about courtship before marriage but this is much more about adult life and society - OldieMum is right. One of those books I pined for when I'd finished it.

I thought it was great - read it on honeymoon in Italy. Mind you I couldn't get past about page 80 of Mill on the Floss...

Message withdrawn

Oh feel very now as I abandoned Middlemarch shortly after my last post. I rarely give up on a book but there was just nothing to hold my interest. If I were to read it now, I would have to start all over again...don't think I could do it.

aww, don't say that Lonelymum!

I'm reading it atm and loving it (only on about ch 2 myself though). It is very densely (though also wittily) written and tbqh I keep falling asleep after about a page of it cos I'm reading in bed.

I read Falling Angels by Tracey Chevalier just before that and finished it in two nights - it was fab, a gripping plot and loads of interesting ideas. Would recommend that if you want something good but a bit quicker.

Good luck with Middlemarch Carolina. It was the book's ability to make me fall asleep after a page that put me off it in the end. I know I need my sleep, but I did also want to be transported into another world, just occasionally!

I have had a look at Tracey Chevalier on Amazon and will try to go to a bookshop some time soon to pick up her novels and see if they are for me, so thanks for the receommendation.

It's one of my all-time favourite books along with kids books The Silver Sword by Ian Seraillier and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

It takes some reading but it's a great story.

When I read it as a teenager, I remember deciding to skip all the Bulstrode bits, as they kind of dragged. After that, I really got into it. Am sure I missed out on stacks of themes and whatnot -- hey ho.

I read it a couple of years ago, at the ripe old age of 36 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, with the benefit of being a bit older, was able to relate the main themes and lessons of the book to my own personal experience.