2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss George Eliot's book, Middlemarch.


***Please remember to mark spoilers.***

Participants:
Zara, Theresa, Sandra, Debbie, Cosmic, Kelsi, Brian, Barbara

I'm in on this as well. Although with school, I will likely not finish until the summer!

I'm starting March with my TBR Twin read, Vanity Fair, and I'll start Middlemarch right after that is read.

I too would love to join the discussion. I picked up a copy and will begin reading it..urm...well...as soon as I can.

I have 4 books that I would like to finish first, but that can be done in a few days with determination. I am looking forward to reading this oft-praised classic and hearing everyone's thoughts!

I've added you Brian

I've got about 12 hours to go on Vanity Fair, and I expect to finish that this weekend. As soon as that's done, I'll begin reading Middlemarch. Is anyone else going to start this one soon?

I just checked it out from the library. I have a few others I want to finish first, but I should get to this by mid-month.

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "I've got about 12 hours to go on Vanity Fair, and I expect to finish that this weekend. As soon as that's done, I'll begin reading Middlemarch. Is anyone else going to st..."

I started this a a number of days ago but I've had to stop reading it as I have a book I have to have back at the library by Monday.

Today I start Middlemarch. It looks like there are 86 chapters plus a finale, but the chapters are very short. Some are just 2 or 3 pages.

Last week I read Vanity Fair plus a couple of Shakespeare's plays. Middlemarch is only 37 pages longer, so it shouldn't take too long to read.

I did start Middlemarch on Sunday. In the first 6 days I read 37 chapters, leaving 50 yet to read. Things have been busy, so it may take through next weekend to finish the book. Is anyone else actively reading this one?

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "I did start Middlemarch on Sunday. In the first 6 days I read 37 chapters, leaving 50 yet to read. Things have been busy, so it may take through next weekend to finish the book. Is ..."

I'm reading this one but I'm finding it really slow going. I've read no where near 37 chapters. You're doing a really great job with it. What are your thoughts so far about the book Theresa?

Zara, I get a lot read because I have both the audio and Kindle versions. My work commute is at least 1 1/2 hours a day, so I listen to books during that time, then read or listen in the evening.

I do think this book rambles on, but that may be the style popular in that period. Middlemarch was originally published as an 8 part serial. The first was published in December 1871, parts 2-7 followed every other month, with the final part published December 1872. The single volume version we're now reading was published in 1874. Vanity Fair, which was my March TBR Twin book, was also first published as a serial and had a similar rambling style.

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "I did start Middlemarch on Sunday. In the first 6 days I read 37 chapters, leaving 50 yet to read. Things have been busy, so it may take through next weekend to finish the book. Is ..."

I just finished it. I was very pleased over all with the book and characters. I thought they were a great cast. Thanks for suggesting this book. I may have to think about it before writing much more.

Cosmic wrote: "Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "I did start Middlemarch on Sunday. In the first 6 days I read 37 chapters, leaving 50 yet to read. Things have been busy, so it may take through next week..."

I'm glad you liked it Cosmic. I'm still trying to wade through it.

I'll probably finish tonight.

I just need to finish The Stand, and then I will start this. Sorry for being so behind. It's hard to find time to read and balance school currently.

Kelsi wrote: "I just need to finish The Stand, and then I will start this. Sorry for being so behind. It's hard to find time to read and balance school currently."

That's fine Kelsi.

I did finish Middlemarch tonight. Like Cosmic, I really liked it overall. There were a wide variety of characters and multiple themes running through the novel. For those who have not started reading or are struggling a bit in the beginning, it does take a bit for all the characters to be introduced and for the reader to become familiar with them. Once that is done, it seems to move along much more quickly!

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "I did finish Middlemarch tonight. Like Cosmic, I really liked it overall. There were a wide variety of characters and multiple themes running through the novel. For those who have n..."

That's good to know Theresa. I'll keep plowing along. How long before it starts moving along?

Zara, I thought I'd answered when you posted ten days ago, but the iPhone connection in my office is terrible, so I guess it didn't go through.

Anyway, I found it rather slow going for the first quarter or so. After that, I got used to the style and the characters had finally all been introduced, and it moved along more quickly.

I think when a certain someone gets married then it starts to thicken.

I am new to Goodreads. How do I sign up for this group, please? Thank you.

Barbara wrote: "I am new to Goodreads. How do I sign up for this group, please? Thank you."

You just have Barbara. I'll add you to the list of the participants.

I'm nearly half way through now and I've got to say that it's better than expected. All the characters are very unique and real and I'm interested to see how their lives will go. It reminds me of The Casual Vacancy in some ways because of all the characters and the view of the whole town, even though it's extremely different to that book in every other way.