Middlemarch Group Read 2014

Snak75 Books Challenge for 2014

Bliv bruger af LibraryThing, hvis du vil skrive et indlæg

Middlemarch Group Read 2014

Dette emne er markeret som "i hvile"—det seneste indlæg er mere end 90 dage gammel. Du kan vække emnet til live ved at poste et indlæg.

1msf59
jul 13, 2014, 8:32 am



"Middlemarch is a novel by George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Anne Evans, later Marian Evans. It is her seventh novel, begun in 1869. Subtitled "A Study of Provincial Life", the novel is set in the fictitious Midlands town of Middlemarch, thought to be based on Coventry, during the period 1830–32. Middlemarch has retained its popularity and status as one of the masterpieces of English fiction."

2msf59
Redigeret: jul 13, 2014, 8:47 am

Yes, I am finally reading this beloved classic and I hope to see a few of you join me. I will read this in print and on audio, which seems to work for me, on this chunky tomes. I plan on starting it tomorrow.

This will be in the "read at your own pace" group read. If it takes you a week or 2 months, it is strictly up to you. My only request, is to be careful of "spoilers".

3Crazymamie
jul 13, 2014, 8:48 am



I collect these cloth bound Penguin editions, so I am very excited to this one. Like you, I will be using print and audio for the read. Thanks for setting this up, Mark!

4msf59
Redigeret: jul 13, 2014, 8:55 am



^I have the Penguin Drop Caps edition, but I also love the look of those cloth bounds.

I managed to find a Kindle edition for .99 cents, so I don't have to drag around my collectible. Smiles!

I am so glad you'll be joining me on this, Mamie!

5banjo123
jul 13, 2014, 2:02 pm

I love this book and have been looking forward to a re-read. Hopefully I can find my copy--it is in the book over-flow area and may be hard to find. I could resort to the kindle, but hopefully it won't come to that.

6luvamystery65
jul 13, 2014, 7:52 pm

I also got the Kindle edition for .99 cents and splurged a credit for the Juliet Stevenson audio. Whoop for Whispersync!

7avatiakh
jul 14, 2014, 5:53 am

I've got an old Penguin edition with small print. I also downloaded the 37 hour audio from my library yesterday and might try to listen to start with as I have a pile of books at present to get through. This version is read by Kate Reading. I put a hold on the Juliet Stevenson version a while back but there are still 3 people ahead of me in the queue.

8msf59
jul 14, 2014, 6:46 am

It's so nice to have a few more folks along. Beams with delight. I am not sure, if I'll be able to start this today but I will TRY!

9susanj67
jul 15, 2014, 8:16 am

Hi everyone! Thanks for setting up the thread, Mark. I started yesterday, with a free copy from Project Gutenberg, and read Book I. Much of the time I felt like there were lots of references I was missing, but this morning I looked at the Penguin edition and it has hardly any footnotes explaining things, so I'll have to press on. I looked at an online guide to the book, but it just has a plot summary, and then some notes on themes which are bound to contain spoilers!

I'm struggling a bit with the language, or more accurately the lengths of some of the sentences. I read some of them two or three times and still had no idea what they meant. This is my first George Eliot, though, so it is probably just a case of getting used to the writing.

10msf59
jul 18, 2014, 7:00 am

Well, I am about 300 pages into Middlemarch and in my edition, that is about a 1/3 in. This is a Big Boy, fortunately her story-telling is exquisite and keeps those pages turning. If I was only reading print, this could take me the rest of the summer...

How is everyone else doing?

11luvamystery65
jul 18, 2014, 10:13 am

I'm still in book I. Lot of RL drama going on here in Houston. Both at work and at home. I think I'm moving my mom to a new place at the end of the month.

I am loving the narration by Juliet Stevenson. She is a gem. I try to get a bit of reading in at night too but I had also started my Twain book and I wanted to get a little more than halfway through before I put it aside to dive into Middle March.

12msf59
jul 18, 2014, 10:17 am

>11 luvamystery65: Juggling 2 classics, along with a demanding RL, sounds like quite the task, Ro! Good luck, my friend.

13msf59
Redigeret: jul 19, 2014, 6:39 pm

I made this comment on my thread. A few people have found it impenetrable:

Yes, Middlemarch is a commitment and yes it is long and sometimes challenging but I am very glad I finally picked it up. It's revered status, shines through for me. Of course, it might not be your cuppa, but you should know that within the first 50 pages.

How is everyone else finding it?

I am on chapter 51, about page 540. (Hugs to my audio for this).

Two observations: Casaubon is a jerk and a twit and I have a slight crush on Dorothea.

I also love the look at the medical profession in mid-1800 England. Interesting...

14jnwelch
jul 21, 2014, 1:23 pm

Casaubon is a jerk and a twit and I have a slight crush on Dorothea. Amen, brother.

15banjo123
jul 21, 2014, 11:30 pm

Well Casaubon is a jerk, but really, a crush on Dorothea?? She is a great character, but I never thought sexy.

I haven't started, actually, but it's a re-read for me, I loved the characters in this book....

16msf59
Redigeret: jul 22, 2014, 10:25 am

>15 banjo123: I think I am attracted to her brain. LOL. I just like her character. The pretty ones aren't as appealing.

How are you liking it, so far?

17Crazymamie
jul 22, 2014, 8:08 am

I have just started into Part Seven (chapter 63), and I am really loving this story.

18jnwelch
jul 22, 2014, 2:48 pm

>15 banjo123: There's something about Dorothea that is attractive to me beyond a brain crush. Her spirit and personality, I guess.

19msf59
jul 23, 2014, 9:18 pm

I finished it! I finished it! This is such a great book. Yes, it is a commitment but it is so worth it. Nothing like reading a beloved classic and it completely measures up. I know you've been dead for over a 130 years, but good job, Mary Ann Evans!!

20luvamystery65
jul 24, 2014, 11:52 am

I don't think I can finish it this month or possible next month but I will report back when I do finish it Mark.

21Sevloca
jul 24, 2014, 11:55 am

Denne bruger er blevet fjernet som værende spam.

22avatiakh
jul 25, 2014, 3:25 pm

>19 msf59: Congrats Mark. I still haven't started but will definitely start the audiobook next.

23banjo123
aug 8, 2014, 2:13 pm

I am enjoying my re-read of Middlemarch. It's such a good description of how individuals work in a community.