78 pages • 2 hours read
George EliotMiddlemarch
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1871A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Middlemarch by George Eliot explores the intertwined lives of various characters in the small English town of Middlemarch. Dorothea Brooke, a zealous reformer, marries the older scholar Reverend Edward Casaubon, only to find herself drawn to his young cousin, Will Ladislaw. Meanwhile, idealistic doctor Tertius Lydgate faces financial ruin due to his wife Rosamond’s extravagance and public suspicion. Other characters include Rosamond’s brother, Fred Vincy, who matures and marries Mary Garth.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Middlemarch by George Eliot is widely praised for its intricate character development and insightful social commentary. Readers appreciate its exploration of politics, marriage, and ambition in a provincial town. Criticisms often note its dense prose and slow pacing, which can challenge modern readers. Overall, it remains a deeply impactful and reflective novel.
Who Should Read Middlemarch?
A reader who enjoys Middlemarch by George Eliot likely appreciates intricate character studies, social critique, and psychological depth. Comparable to fans of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Charles Dickens' Bleak House, this reader values richly woven narratives and exploration of 19th-century societal norms.