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George Eliot's most ambitious novel is a masterly evocation of diverse lives and changing fortunes in a provincial community.
Peopling its landscape are Dorothea Brooke, a young idealist whose search for intellectual fulfillment leads her into a disastrous marriage to the pedantic scholar Casaubon; the charming but tactless Dr Lydgate, whose marriage to the spendthrift beauty Rosamund and pioneering medical methods threaten to undermine his career; and the religious hypocrite Bulstrode, hiding scandalous crimes from his past.
As their stories interweave, George Eliot creates a richly nuanced and moving drama, hailed by Virginia Woolf as 'one of the few English novels written for adult people'. Middlemarch explores nearly all matters of concern to modern life, portraying an entire community and every class within it. Full of irony and suspense and even richer in character it shows how individual lives are shaped by and shape the community. Within Middlemarch, we find Eliot's ability to expand the audience's compassion and imagination.
George Eliot was one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. Her novels, largely set in provincial England, are well known for their realism and psychological insight. When Middlemarch was released Eliot was considered England's finest living novelist with many critics still regarding this novel as the finest in English.
A BAFTA winning adaptation of Middlemarch aired as a television series in 1994.
Narrator Biography
Maureen is an English actress and author best known for playing the role of Vicki in Doctor Who where she starred alongside the original Doctor, William Hartnell. She then went on to appear in The Legend of King Arthur, Casualty, The Duchess of Duke Street, Taggart, Cracker, A Touch of Frost, Heartbeat and Jonathan Creek. In 1985 she made a rare film appearance in the comedy She'll Be Wearing Pink Pyjamas opposite Julie Walters.
Maureen has also appeared in a number of stage productions, for example, The Relapse (Old Vic), The Merchant of Venice (Old Vic), The Archbishop's Ceiling (Bristol Old Vic) and Othello (Bristol Old Vic).
Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
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What listeners say about Middlemarch
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Andrea
30-01-2015
A classic well worth revisiting - again and again!
Although this is an extremely lengthy listen, the narration is excellent and brings the characters into vivid life. The story can take perseverance in the first quarter but is well rewarded when things come together and the reader has an indepth background and understanding of the complex relationships and emotions. So clever, such wonderful language and so insightful with observations of human behaviour and social interactions that still resonate and provoke thought in contemporary times. And who would not seek and adore a friend like Dorothea?!
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5 out of 5 stars
Anonymous User
06-06-2022
Deeply satisfying.
Classic Eliot slow burn. The literary equivalent of staring into smouldering logs with nothing else to do but enjoy the heat and twinkling light. Ultimately better for the ability to listen and get about the housework!
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5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars
Hilary
14-05-2024
Beautiful Story and Telling
Loved the narration, great character voices. All different and interesting. The story is insightful and bittersweet.
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5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars
Anonymous User
03-04-2024
Well worth the time!
I had been intending to read this for some time, but was always daunted by the length. Once I began, I was hooked. Fantastic characters that I was keen to ‘get to know’ and was a fabulous read/listen. Would highly recommend the ‘investment’ of time. An amazing tale and understandably a classic.
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5 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars
L.S.
18-02-2024
Beautifully Written - Classic for a Reason
Middlemarch has stood the test of time for a reason. Intelligent and sophisticated prose coupled with thoughtful observation of provincial life.
Weaving the political, social and religious questions of the day around the cleverly and honestly depicted lives of the people of Middlemarch, George Eliot deserves the praise she has received for writing 'the best novel in the English language.'
A very enjoyable production, well read and thoughtfully performed. Highly recommend.
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Amazon Customer
29-02-2024
great story
I really enjoyed this book. it was well written and a lovely long tale.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Anonymous User
06-12-2024
Brilliant
This beautifully read English classic, which was originally published as a serial in 8 volumes, is well worth a listen.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Kindle Customer
10-01-2022
stunning
beautiful and brilliant and timeless writing and social commentary. human nature really does not change though culture never ceases. this work is eternal and if you love the English language well worth what will look at first like a commitment.
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Anonymous User
09-04-2023
Worth it.
I just finished this and I am tempted to start it again. There is so much in it. Loved it.
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David
19-09-2023
A View of life in the 21st century
May Evans(George Eliot) provides a clear picture of life in any community. I first read this book in the early 1980's. Reading it 40 years later it leaves an indelible mark. Written as a view of life in the 19th century it remains an important mirror to our own age. Has anything really changed?
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