Middlemarch, Volume II Audiobook (Unabridged)

" The first 100 pages are pretty hard going, but I persisted because this is one of my Dad's all time favourite books. I'm glad I did because this is a beautifully written novel which is remarkably insightful in the way it depicts youth, idealism and, in particular, marriage. It has been a few weeks since I finished reading, and I still keep thinking about Dorothea and Will and Lydgate and poor Rosamond. Worth the effort. "

" Eliot is describing a society a few years prior to her own, it seems, and the contrasts between the two are often meant to mean something to the (presumably contemporary) audience. Sadly, since I'm not familiar with the society, I feel like I'm missing that part of the book. "

" This book follows a couple of different stories about people who live in or near the town of Middlemarch. It is interesting to get to know the characters individually and then see them interact or think about each other. My favorite stories were about the very virtuous Dorothea and the wordly Rosamond. I didn't know how long the book was, as I downloaded it on my Kindle, so it was surprising to me when I had read for a while and was only at 30%. "

" Really got into this book. "

" Like Coronation St without the pints and silliness. Loved it. The feelings it evoked have stayed with me over 10 years. "

" Pumped up by talk of what a great novel this was, I think I walked into this book expecting a bit much. The story, frankly, did not match the sort of power I expect from a great novel. However, once I realized that wasn't exactly what I was getting I began to enjoy what I had. Eliot (or Evans, rather) writes with a very enjoyable subtle, often sarcastic style which was a lot of fun to read. I marked many passages for their rather clever or funny wording, or deep insight. The narration shows a great deal of psychological insight into the characters, which is what keeps it from falling into being a dull retelling of events. The plot itself becomes rather intertwined, but it is done lightly and it is always the inner lives of the characters that we return to. The book was enjoyable, and I would like to read more by the author to see how she does or doesn't alter her voice for her other tales. "

" Quite simply the finest novel ever written in the English language. "

" I do not remember who it was, some literary figure who read this book every year of their life. It is one that I have read about 3 or 4 times, I think. I love Dorothea. Her transition throughout the novel is a thing of beauty. "

" I did like the book. Though at times I felt it drag. I'm very glad to have read it as many authors reference the book or have it is one of their top books. "

" I have never appreciated such a novel before - George Elliot (Mary anne Evans) writes more profoundly of social emotional political human growth than - I dare say - the Brontes. "

" Hard going. Not sure if this is going to get any better...Need a break "

" Fantastic. One of my favorite books of all time. "

" Worthy of the title of Eliot's masterwork for her extraordinarily well-crafted characters. "

" I found it incredibly boring. I read it in recent years because so many writers refer to it. I became curious so it is helpful in that way. "

" Wow, its as grand as they say. What a delight! "

" Great insights into marriage... and the mid-19th century. The expository form of the novel at that time in history made it a challenge for me to read. "

" I throw my hands up in defeat with this. I simply cannot get into it and, moreover, don't particularly want to at the moment. I will keep in on the bookshelf and try again some time. After all I had several goes at 100 Years of Solitude and managed it eventually. Good luck with it Mark! "

" I loved this novel. The story is so intricate and the characters are so fleshed out that you really feel as though Middlemarch and its inhabitants are real. "

" Epic...but what happened to Bulstrode? "

" Listened to it on Audible. So wonderful to knit to. Old-school awesome. "