Author

George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans)

Overview

This novel includes distinct, interesting stories with many characters. Issues include the status of women, the nature of marriage, idealism, self-interest, religion, hypocrisy, political reform, and education.

Background

Middlemarch originates in two unfinished pieces that Eliot worked on during 1869 and 1870.

Plot

A passionate young women's search for a rewarding and meaningful life unfolds in Middlemarch, an English town taking its first steps towards modernization. From tradesmen to gentry, the provincial community's residents form a microcosm of political and social change during the 1830s.

Reception

Rich in narrative irony and suspense, George Eliot's masterpiece will captivate readers of all ages.