Commentary/review

As a non-native English speaker, I missed out on some of the classics, Middlemarch included. I was to find out that George Eliot was a pseudonym and that the story, although rich in serious observations of the troubles of both men and women, was written by a female writer. I was surprised at the maturity and ingenuity of this 19th century novel. The depth of observation was almost hard to believe. I loved the opening quotations which not only adorned but actually added another layer of meaning. I am sure that much of the general knowledge about George Eliot is nothing new for anglophones but, for me, the details were striking and fresh, making the experience one of a kind.

I am quite sure that there can be nothing new to say about a book that is among the best pieces of English literature ever written so I will keep this short. This is a strong contender for my audiobook of the year 2023. Juliet Stevenson’s performance was breathtaking, nothing short of genius. I may at some point listen to other renditions, only to compare. The book is worth revisiting several times.

The cover is rather simple, showing only a simple photograph. The letters are clearly visible and on the whole the cover is balanced. Nothing to scorn at.

Cover Photo by Adam Sidaway on Unsplash