Middlemarch (George Eliot, 1871-72)

(838 pages) 

I absolutely loved the very last sentence of the novel (it refers to Dorothea):  "But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs."

Except I think it's far more than half!  (Maybe because I correctly see myself in that "number?")

Anyway - I originally read this in 2004, I think in a books-on-tape format - good but not optimal - my thoughts are here.  At least I correctly said it was worth a re-read.

Very very much enjoyed the novel this second time around.  George Eliot a favorite. So many characters and plot threads, so well developed.  I took my time.

Depth of characters, no cartoonish among the many leads.

Proust-like in helping see how we all tend to see what we want to see, deceive ourselves a lot or a little - usually not with bad intentions.

Brooke and his nieces (Dorothea - Casaubon; Celia - Sir James Chettam)

Ladislaw (Casaubon's second cousin, works for Brooke at the Pioneer)

Garth Caleb and family (Mary)

Vincy family (Fred, Rosamond)

Lydgate and Rosamond

Bulstrode (married to a Vincy)

Featherstone and relatives

Lydgate unable to pay debts; Fred similar

Fred unable to find a profession; Ladislaw similar; Farebrother not so happy with his profession.

The Mysteries of Udolpho (Ann Radcliffe, 1794)

Another Paul Jr. recommendation.  This was an unusual type of read for me.  I liked it.

Emily St. Aubert is the protagonist.  Orphaned in her late teens early in the story; her aunt is her guardian (I'll call it) but herself makes an ill-advised marriage to an Italian fellow (Montoni).  They all go to Venice; then onto Montoni's castle (Udolpho).

Emily had met Valancourt (and fallen in love with him) while traveling with her father through the Pyrenees.  Entirely separated while at Udolpho, not clear to her what's up with him.

Apparitions at Udolpho, and later at a chateau in France.  Strange music playing in the middle of the night in various locations.  Emily spends time at a nearby convent, meets a strange nun who seems to recognize Emily.

Very early in the book, Emily's father is advising her strongly about the dangers of indulging in grief, emotions in general.  Then for hundreds of pages, Emily is continually plunged into deep grief, fainting, etc.  Even though she's strong, rational.  She did go through some quite amazing scenarios.

Book was immensely popular when first published, and I read that it's considered the first "Gothic" novel (not sure exactly what that means but I think I get the general idea).

In the page 40s, taking a journey for the father to convalesce. Classic romantic descriptions of wild terrain, natural beauty, etc.  How does this tie temporally to Caspar David Friedrich paintings, etc.?  Lots of this type of descriptive writing as they travel between France and Italy and enjoy local scenery.