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Middlemarch

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Middlemarch

By: George Eliot
Narrated by: Maureen O'Brien
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About this listen

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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.
Classics Women's Voices Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Feel-Good England Arthurian
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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?!

A classic well worth revisiting - again and again!

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Classic Eliot slow burn. The literary equivalent of staring into smouldering logs with nothing else to do but enjoy the heat and twinkling light. Ultimately better for the ability to listen and get about the housework!

Deeply satisfying.

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Loved the narration, great character voices. All different and interesting. The story is insightful and bittersweet.

Beautiful Story and Telling

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I had been intending to read this for some time, but was always daunted by the length. Once I began, I was hooked. Fantastic characters that I was keen to ‘get to know’ and was a fabulous read/listen. Would highly recommend the ‘investment’ of time. An amazing tale and understandably a classic.

Well worth the time!

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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.

Beautifully Written - Classic for a Reason

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

great story

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This beautifully read English classic, which was originally published as a serial in 8 volumes, is well worth a listen.

Brilliant

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beautiful and brilliant and timeless writing and social commentary. human nature really does not change though culture never ceases. this work is eternal and if you love the English language well worth what will look at first like a commitment.

stunning

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I just finished this and I am tempted to start it again. There is so much in it. Loved it.

Worth it.

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The word ardent is liberally seeded through this marvellous piece of writing. It is a testimony to the wit and intelligence - of both thought and emotion - of its author that her observations of human nature and society remain true today in spite of the passage of time and great changes wraught by history and our understanding of the world we live in. A joy to engage with for all 36+hrs of listening.

Still fresh and ardent

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