The daughter of a respectable self-made businessman, the middle-aged Eliot was cast into social exile when she began a scandalous liaison with married writer and scientist George Henry Lewes. Only her burgeoning literary success allowed her to overcome society’s disapproval and eventually take her proper place at the heart of London’s literary elite. The territory of her novels encompassed the entire span of Victorian society.
Kathryn Hughes has wrought a balanced, sympathetic, and intensely engaging biography, the first to grapple equally with the personal dramas that shaped Eliot’s psyche and with her broader social and intellectual milieu. A lively portrait emerges of a woman and writer by turns ambitious and insecure, cerebral and earthy, provocative and conservative—contradictions which not only express the spirit of Eliot’s time, but speak eloquently to our own.
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"George Eliot! What a hot tamale. I thought this biography was slightly superficial at times, but at others very insightful. And what fascinating material! Overall I quite liked it. " — Emily (4 out of 5 stars)
"George Eliot! What a hot tamale. I thought this biography was slightly superficial at times, but at others very insightful. And what fascinating material! Overall I quite liked it. "
“This work is intelligent, adept, and full of insight. [Wanda McCaddon’s] narration is clear and precise; a welcome addition to public libraries.”
“Illuminating reading. [Wanda McCaddon’s] performance is, as usual, impeccable.”
“[Hughes] brings a sense of close familiarity with this private, inward woman…a refreshingly intimate portrait.”
“Hughes’ pungent account distinguishes itself by limning [Eliot’s] turbulent emotions with as much acuity as she does [Eliot’s] creative drive…She paints a vivid portrait of Victorian intellectual life and Eliot’s provocative role within it.”
“[McCaddon’s] flawless reading is perfectly timed and modulated, and flows easily. Well researched, well read and very easy to listen to.”
" A comprehensive picture of my favorite novelist of all time--what an interesting life and what an interesting woman! "
" Well researched and well written. "
Kathryn Hughes is a lecturer in nineteenth-century English literature and history at several British universities and the author of one previous book, The Victorian Governess. She lives in London.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.
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