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Original poster

Has anyone read Middlemarch?

48 replies

Lonelymum · 23/10/2004 19:23

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!

OP posts:
marthamoo · 23/10/2004 19:29

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.

xoz · 23/10/2004 19:31

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

Caligula · 23/10/2004 19:32

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.

xoz · 23/10/2004 19:34

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.

marthamoo · 23/10/2004 19:35

Give me Jane Austen any day!

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

Original poster
Lonelymum · 23/10/2004 21:26

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!

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SofiaAmes · 23/10/2004 21:37

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.

winnie1 · 23/10/2004 21:58

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

OldieMum · 24/10/2004 16:02

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.

MissusWoman · 24/10/2004 16:09

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

OldieMum · 24/10/2004 16:14

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

Tessiebear · 24/10/2004 17:08

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"!!!!!!

donnie · 24/10/2004 18:18

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.

Original poster
Lonelymum · 25/10/2004 10:13

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?

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christie1 · 10/10/2005 02:10

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.

sfxmum · 10/10/2005 14:27

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

muminlondon · 10/10/2005 15:36

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.

mummytosteven · 21/10/2005 01:00

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...

bloss · 21/10/2005 01:24

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Lonelymum · 21/10/2005 19:51

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.

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CarolinaFullMoon · 21/10/2005 19:58

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.

Original poster
Lonelymum · 22/10/2005 10:17

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.

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hellywobs · 16/11/2005 19:33

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.

bakedpotato · 16/11/2005 19:41

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.

Nightynight · 16/11/2005 20:39

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.