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Middlemarch

By: George Eliot
Narrated by: Maureen O'Brien
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Publisher's Summary

Exclusively from Audible

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.

What listeners say about Middlemarch

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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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middlemarch

great story very realistic and insightful of the times. well read. good length .

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great story

I really enjoyed this book. it was well written and a lovely long tale.

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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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Human nature abides alike

Fabulous narration which assisted my ear to integrate the olde worlde language of the times and appreciate the extensively descriptive vocabulary. The introduction to the the company of characters was long and, until the dialogue became familiar, a little endurance however so worthwhile. The various events and tales within the whole made a marvellous picture of country and regional life with humourous cameos of youthfull folly, gossip and politics intermingled amongst the domestic lives of the players. I reside in a similar country and regional part of our country and find the characters of Middlemarch all around me and that human nature is constant in this 21st century in so many ways despite our technological advances. Thank you Audible i have enjoyed this saga and the freshness of language so very much.

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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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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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Superb

Fabulous book, wonderfully read. The writing style is worthy of a classic status. Worth every minute.

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Engaging and witty.

Engaging and witty. This very English classic is much more appreciated in my more mature years than it was on my high school reading list. Beautifully written & narrated, I’ve been listening while revisiting the published letters & diary (1812 - 1825) of “A Shropshire Squire” my 3 X great grandfather.

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Well worth a revisit

I had to study this book at school and I’m ashamed to say I didn’t read it in full, and didn’t have enough context of life and history to understand what genius George Eliot had. Absolutely loved the book this time, and superbly narrated.

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