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Middlemarch
COZY READS - CLASSICS
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Middlemarch- Kru, Ini, Pari, Syl, et al
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Taking place in the years leading up to the First Reform Bill of 1832, Middlemarch explores nearly every subject of concern to modern life: art, religion, science, politics, self, society, human relationships. Among her characters are some of the most remarkable portraits in English literature: Dorothea Brooke, the heroine, idealistic but naive; Rosamond Vincy, beautiful and egoistic: Edward Casaubon, the dry-as-dust scholar: Tertius Lydgate, the brilliant but morally-flawed physician: the passionate artist Will Ladislaw: and Fred Vincey and Mary Garth, childhood sweethearts whose charming courtship is one of the many humorous elements in the novel's rich comic vein.
It is 904 pages 😲🤤
Hi and Welcome All to March along Thanks for the thread Syl
Thanks for the thread syl.... I was going to ask you to create..☺ my copy had 850 pages or so.... Read prelude and 3 pages in first chapter in the morning to kickstart...🤗
Started reading. Daunted by the number of pages although but I am sure it will be quite a read. I was reading about George Eliot/Mary Anne Evans and how she adopted the pen name George Eliot 'so that her work would be taken seriously'! Reminded me of a recent discussion at a book club meet on women authors and feminism. Do any of you think that women authors even today do not enjoy the same stature as their male counterparts? Is there an underlying inequality?Coming back to the book I read the Prelude and and the first chapter between simulations at work ;) I am curious as a cat to know more about the Brooke sisters.
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prelude
(A.C. doesn't work when it IS supposed to. It only works when it is sure of landing me into some trouble ... )
Syl wrote: "Industry prelude
(A.C. doesn't work when it IS supposed to. It only works when it is sure of landing me into some trouble ... )"
I couldn't agree more :D My phone seems to have a mind of its own and takes great pleasure in embarrassing me.
" The really delightful marriage must be that where your husband was a sort of father and could teach you even Hebrew, if you wish it" - Dorothea and her expectations...!!!!!!😲😲😲
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Dorothea is going to be a handful. I feel Celia is more malleable
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Dorothea to Celia
Iniya wrote: "" The really delightful marriage must be that where your husband was a sort of father and could teach you even Hebrew, if you wish it" - Dorothea and her expectations...!!!!!!😲😲😲"I know. She seems too dreamy to be true!
I am going to tag along...started today.
Iniya wrote: "" The really delightful marriage must be that where your husband was a sort of father and could teach you even Hebrew, if you wish it" - Dorothea and her expectations...!!!!!!😲😲😲"Can't stand it. 😢
Kavitha wrote: "I am going to tag along...started today."Yay! That's great
He would not have contradicted her, and when a woman is not contradicted, she has no motive for obstinacy in her absurdities.How simple ;)
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Going slow ... and the differences between the two sisters and the two suitors is coming into forefront .
wonder why all are behind Dodo. Celia is more agreeable.
perhaps men like challenges more than docile nature. .
I too felt Celia was more practical.
Didn't read at all during the weekend :-( Anybody else progressed? I'll read today...
I couldn't read much in the weekend either. I'll read today
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I will resume with it from tomorrow .
I am in. Will start this today :)
update - At 10% nowWelcome Hajarath Prasad ji :)
I finished Chapter 3. Honestly I am annoyed with Dorothea and her weird thinking ways! Celia seems relatable
I am in Chapter 4. Different English makes the progress very slow...Dorothea has high expectations and living in clouds...expectations lead to disappointment.
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I see that Dorothea is digging her own grave.
Or, as Uncle Brooke thinks, she may do.better with Casaubon as a husband as both are mirthless and ideological people.
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if I ever received a letter like the one Miss Brooke did. (agree that the possibility is moot, still) .. I would immediately see to it that the author of the letter is put in an asylum.
Writing like that can be attributable only to a mad person 🙄
Kavitha wrote: "I am in Chapter 4. Different English makes the progress very slow...Dorothea has high expectations and living in clouds...expectations lead to disappointment."
Have to agree. I wonder what does she see in Casaubon! That he'll be a guide to her in her religious endeavours?
Lol. I will wait for you all then.At this juncture my thoughts are - at the time this story is set the Man of the house is looked upon as a tree, the strong one. Also she is fatherless from a very young age, and I think it is very natural to look for a gentleman who can be more knowledgeable and more nurturing. But it's evident she will be disappointed.
I am also curious how idealism means everything at that age. Maybe not like Dorothea but definitely the idealism we connect to at that age is very hardcore, devoid of the real practical world. isn't it?
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But a scary thing is that idealism at had impressionable stage in life can destroy futures...
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Agree. They have to evolve from that phase, and experience things to understand life properly, and be more inclusive.Sadly most don't go beyond the basics, and either end up destroying self, family, or the society at large.
Kru wrote: "Lol. I will wait for you all then.At this juncture my thoughts are - at the time this story is set the Man of the house is looked upon as a tree, the strong one. Also she is fatherless from a ver..."
Very true.
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The paraqgraph on pride is really true
"Pride is not a bad thing when it only urges us to hide our own hurts - not to hurt others."
Parikhit wrote: "Kavitha wrote: "I am in Chapter 4. Different English makes the progress very slow...Dorothea has high expectations and living in clouds...expectations lead to disappointment."
Have to agree. I w..."
I think she is desparate for somebody to talk to about what she considers as ideal thoughts in her mind. Women at that era were discouraged to have views other than domestic and art topics. When Casuabon not only paid attention to what she said, he also discuss with her which is something she longed for. Her age is such that she mixed romance with her desparate need to discuss her ideas and falling for him. That guy! he is definitely taking advantage of her young age and her adoration to feel self important.
Kru wrote: "Lol. I will wait for you all then.At this juncture my thoughts are - at the time this story is set the Man of the house is looked upon as a tree, the strong one. Also she is fatherless from a ver..."
Very true!
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I like the slow, meandering way of this novel ( so far) nd eagerly await the closing lines of the short chapters which are often, pearls of wisdom.
Waiting to see how this story will unfold.
Completed 4 chapters... I feel very bad for Dorothea and her presumptions about Mr. Casaubon.. Celia is very practical and agreeable that Dorothea.. Liking the language so far....
Finished Chapter 8. I have to agree with you Col on the pearls of wisdom at the end of every chapter. Also at the beginning the quote sets the tone. Its amazing isn't it.Dorothea seems to be enamoured by Mr. Casaubon while he is enjoying all the attention.
These lines had me in splits! When Mrs. Caddawallader breaks the news of Dorothea's engagement to Sir James
(view spoiler)
ok....I am running behind, will catch up soon.
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Dorothea seems to be enam..."
Yes... it was hilarious 😁
I am in chapter 9. Have to agree with all of your comments :) Mrs. Cadwallader is growing on me :)
"He has got no good red blood in his body," said Sir James. "No. Somebody put a drop under a magnifying-glass and it was all semicolons and parentheses," said Mrs. Cadwallader.
On the other hand, I couldn't stand Mr. Brooke. His male chauvinistic remarks....
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Have reached chapter 12. Now it is all about Lydgste, the new doctor , Rosamund Vincy and her brother Fred.. and their friendly bantering.
Am so much in love with the one and two sentence quotes in this book.
Not noting down though, as these are too many, at least a couple a page.
As of now, loving Eliot's style.
My ebook shows that I am at 12% in the book.
How far along, you all?
I completed till Chapter 3 in book 4. Around 22% Vincys have a lot of drama and that paces up the reading.
What's your opinion on Mary? I am liking her better than the other girls so far. Sort of level headed until now.
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Fred Vincy is the typical man sowing oats. Though they are agreeable, I don't like such youngsters. Not very much taken by Rosy or Lydgste as of now. Bulsteode and Would ( the sister of the rich fuy) seem formidable.
I am about to finish Book 1. I am intrigued by Mr. Casaubon's cousin. I have an inkling he'd appear again.
Fred and Rosamund both look spoilt.
We are starting Middlemarch BR on An auspicious and apt day.
Do join in...
Most welcome