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.