Tea and Tales with Cate and Allison discussion
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Middlemarch
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Buddy Read: Middlemarch and My Life In Middlemarch
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Glad you're joining us, Tara! I've never read Middlemarch either. I've wanted to for awhile, but hadn't gotten to it. Excited about it!
going to pick up my copy in the next day or so. I feel like I may have read it in university but have no real memory of it. So even if I have read it, it will be like reading it for the first time!
I'd like to join too, if it's not too late. I've never read Middlemarch.
We'd absolutely love to have you join us, Pages & Cup! I'm not that far into Middlemarch yet as it's been a crazy week and I'm planning to get a lot of reading in this weekend. Catie and I have set up the schedule for pacing, but if you need time to catch up, no worries.
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I'm only on page 12!!! I haven't been able to find much reading time since school and activities started. I will finish this though. I'm determined!
Hi everyone! I meant to come and comment a few days ago! I am half way through chapter 16 so far. I pretty much read all Sunday, and I'm a fairly quick reader, but this isn't exactly a light read that I can fly through. So, I'm still working on Book II. I LOVE Eliot's narration and all the scathing commentary and sarcasm she includes! I'd love to be that witty myself! I do sometimes find my attention drifting at times though. It's better when there is dialogue or riveting passages such as Lydgate's first love interest. ;)Ok, you all are really going to see my inner book geek now. I could have written more, but I made myself stop. :) Also, I don't want to ruin the reading experience of those of you who haven't read this far yet, so I'm trying not to be too specific on plot points. Let me know your thoughts on that.
I found the prologue interesting (had to look up St. Theresa.) This part especially: "Many Theresas have been born who found for themselves no epic life...perhaps only a life of mistakes...perhaps a tragic failure which found no sacred poet and sank unwept into oblivion." So sad, but considering that most people don't have lives like St. Theresa, often true. The yearning desire is there to do something great, but life happens. Still mulling that over. Wondering if that will be a reflection of Dorothea's life, or several characters in Middlemarch?
I like Miss Brooke's passion and desire to do something meaningful with her life. She's quite the martyr. She seems headed for disaster in marriage though and no one can change her mind. She certainly thinks she knows what she wants. Not sure if she's just too young and inexperienced with men to be making this decision, or too stubborn? How old is she at this point anyway- did anyone catch that? She acts very meek and subservient, but she also has strong opinions- Celia mentions her tendency for extremes. Not sure how that's going to work out. They say love is blind. She certainly doesn't seem to see any warning signs in how Casaubon is relating to her. I don't understand this desire for a father-figure type of romantic relationship: someone to teach her and for her to serve. I know much of it was those times, but not all of it, because even Celia and Mrs. Cadwallader don't see it the same way. When it actually comes down to it, I wonder if she's really going to like Casaubon being her "master." Even the way Eliot's narrator comments on Dorothea is fascinating. Doesn't it make you cringe that she's making this decision?
Casaubon seems like a bore, honestly. Not sure how Dorothea isn't seeing that. He seems kind to Dorothea, on a basic level, but I think he's just selfish- he's only in this for how it is going to benefit him. He doesn't love her, he finds courtship wearying. And the blunt things the other characters say about him- yikes! Sir James seems like a better choice, with his admiration for Dorothea's intelligence and interest in the cottages.
I love Celia and find her attitude and the things she says so funny! "I don't think it can be nice to marry a man with a great soul." She's quite perceptive. Mrs. Cadwallader is great with some of her snippy remarks too. She sort of reminds me of Mrs. Lynde from Anne of Green Gables, for those who have read that. Loved her comment on Casaubon's blood: "Somebody put a drop under a magnifying glass and it was all semicolons and parentheses." Fred Vincy, though I feel sorry for him (like I want to yell at him not to make bad decisions) is also funny. Mary Garth has some deep insights: "I am not magnanimous enough to like people who speak to me without seeming to see me." I don't blame her at all!
Finally, I loved these two quotes:
"Souls have complexions too: what will suit one will not suit another."
"Destiny stands by sarcastic with our dramatis personae folded in her hand."
Oh, I found this blog all about Middlemarch for book clubs. It has great questions, split into each book: https://middlemarchforbookclubs.wordp...
I am so behind! I still haven't found a copy! The local chain bookstore didn't have it, nether did my local library branch. But I haven't given up.
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I enjoyed reading Katie's comments as well and look firearms to reading yours too, Cate. I feel that knowing a little may help with this book.
Yes, Pages and Cups and Tara, don't even worry. It's going to take me longer to read than the schedule I initially discussed with Catie! I definitely agree as well on extending the reading schedule, I'm sure I'm not going to be able to keep up with it. When we made it, though, I had no idea how reading Middlemarch was going to go. :)Thanks so much everyone! It's so much fun to get to discuss books like this again. I've been taking notes and underlining things as I read, so I'm really just going back through my notes. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else thinks as well!
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I must say the story is picking up for me. I've been marking and highlighting like crazy, so once I finish these two books I'm going to post some of my thoughts and reflections.
Hopefully everyone is still enjoying Middlemarch and not feeling overwhelmed!! With the length of this book and everyone's schedules, we'll plan on being flexible with the reading schedule. Right now I'm personally about a week behind on the original reading schedule.
I'm on book 3 now. I really enjoyed reading your comments, Katie! I look forward discussing more with all of you -- should I hold onto my comments until we are all finished?
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I just finished book 3. some questions that interest me and that I love to hear everyone's opinion on, either now or at the end, are Eliot's iideas about sympathy and the role of different art forms in eliciting sympathy. Do you agree with Ladislaw that language is the finer medium of representation? And which is more effective at eliciting sympathy, works of philosophy and history such as Causabon's key or works of literature? And which genre of literature do you think more conducive: poetry or novels? Do you think Dorothea s fanatic when it comes to sympathy? Should we be happy when others are suffering? Should I feel guilty about enjoying a fine meal in a restaurant when there is a vagrant outside? Big topics, I know! And I'm sure we'll all have more to say about them when we finish the novel, but I just thought I'd post them now. Happy reading everyone!
I am so not going to be done with Middlemarch by the end of September. I'm enjoying it, it's just going to take longer to absorb than I'd originally thought. Thanks for posting your thoughts, Lisa, it actually made me pick up on Eliot's commentary on sympathy within the book that I might not have otherwise. I'm thinking about this as I read and I haven't finished book 3 yet, so I'll come back and comment on that when I have. I love your questions, they're making me thinking about things differently than I would have seen them!For now I'd say that I think language is the finer medium of representation- but wouldn't most book lovers say that? ;) I was never an artist (ie, painting, drawing, etc), so I couldn't ever express myself that way- words were much more my medium. I'm sure I'll have more insight on this farther on.
I just finished Middlemarch! How is everyone else doing? Don't give up! :)
You finished?!?!?! That's awesome!! I'm still slowly making my way through it. I haven't given up. I promise! :)
Glad to hear it pagesandcup! At the end you will feel like you just completed a marathon. In fact, I think Katie should design us T-shirts saying "I survived Middlemarch" or something of that ilk. :)
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I'd settle for a certificate of achievement. ;)
Only 150 pages left, Cate?! Oh, I'm sooooooo behind.
I think a Middlemarch t shirt would be very motivating. :0)
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I am glad we picked this to read though, and even though we are all at different stages of the novel. I'm excited to discuss and go over what we've read when everyone is finished and ready!
I do have to mention, Katie, Lisa and I were talking on IG about doing a read/reread of the Deborah Harkness trilogy in the winter. I think this will be a perfect respite after Middlemarch! So something to look forward to!
And I am in total agreement with Tara. I love the t-shirt idea! Great idea, Lisa!
Same here, Cate. I can only do 50 pages at a time. And I need uninterrupted time. I read the other books in my TBR pile because they don't require a lot of attention for long periods of time. (I.e. I can read them while waiting in the car line). I haven't had hours of uninterrupted time since August.
Yes Eliot is so dense she requires much more concentration than Austen or Bronte, for example. And I agree she can be laborious and sometimes even dull. But then you come across a line or passage that takes your breath away with its beauty and brilliance, and all ponderous prose is forgiven.
And yay to both t shirts and Deborah Harkness! :))
"I survived Middlemarch." Hahaha!!! Love that, Lisa, hysterical!I'm almost halfway right now. I agree with you, Cate. I 'm normally a pretty fast reader, but there are sections that seem very slow. I do like the parts about Dorothea, Casaubon, Will, Fred Vincy- anything about the marriages or relationships. There are parts I've really been struck by how insightful her prose is and heart-broken her words make me feel. If it goes into the town politics or Featherstone's relations, I start to drift a bit. I don't want to miss anything good though!
The All Souls Trilogy does sound like a wonderful respite after Middlemarch! I am definitely dedicated to finishing it, but it will be nice to read something a little lighter after this.
I'm getting "in to" Middlemarch again. Yay!! I just finished off three short books. If I can do that, I can certainly finish Middlemarch by the end of the month. That's my goal, anyway... ;-)
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I'm glad to hear that! I'm enjoying it right now. I'm not liking Mr. Casaubon, though!!! I can't help feeling for Dorothea.
So glad to hear you enjoyed our buddy read, Katie and that you are finding pleasure in the novel,
Despite your dislike of Mr. Causabon! I can't help but feel sorry for him, despite his despicability. Eliot's genius I guess. Cate, are you getting excited to read the next one? I sure am!
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And yes! I am really looking forward to My Life in Middlemarch. I think it will help cement some of the thoughts and opinions of the novel for me.
I'm only on p. 240 and I already feel sorry for Casaubon. Dorothea still isn't a favorite of mine.
Loved this book! The first 250 pages or so dragged for me. Did anyone else find that? I'm glad I stuck with it and finished it.
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I know Katie is still working on finishing the book, so we can hold off on discussing, but when we do discuss, do you want to do a general discussion for the entire book, or do you want to break it down by books or the original reading outline, Katie and I posted?
I wouldn't mind a general discussion. Should I start the Mead book, or wait?
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Katie posted a link to book club discussion questions for Middlemarch a while ago. I had a look at them at the time and they seemed like they could be good prompts, if we are looking for any. :)
Let me just say how much I am loving the diviners! Naughty John is one creepy dude!
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And I'm so glad you're liking The Diviners. It totally sucked me in, especially the plot with Naughty John and the hoodoo/voodoo summoning parts of the novels. I also loved the gothic feel to the novel, with a serial killer from the past....
I'm super late to the party...but better late than never. Started the book Nov 1st and just finished book two. I'm loving it so far and I'm really enjoying reading all of your comments.
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Tea and Tales with Cate and Allison
Books mentioned in this topic
Middlemarch (other topics)My Life in Middlemarch (other topics)
My Life in Middlemarch
Katie (@thornfieldhall) and I were discussing how Autumn is the perfect time to crack open a classic book. So, we decided to do a buddy read for George Eliot's Middlemarch. We'll be reading Middlemarch during the month of September then follow with My Life In Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead in October. This novel was recommended to me on IG and I can't wait to read it!
Below is a reading schedule for Middlemarch, (mainly for pacing). Katie and I are planning on discussing a reading section each week.
Sep 1-7: Prelude, Book 1 and 2
Sep 8-14: Book 3 and 4
Sep 15-21: Book 5 and 6
Sep 22-30: Book 7, 8 and Finale
If you're interested in reading great classic literature I hope you'll join us!