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Literary Fiction· United Kingdom

Middlemarch

by George Eliot
Aggregate Editorial Score52/100
Guardian 100 Best NovelsTimes Literary Supplement
Published 1871793 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Middlemarch by George Eliot is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 1871. The interlocking lives of the idealistic Dorothea Brooke, the ambitious Dr Lydgate, and the other inhabitants of the fictional Midlands town of Middlemarch are observed with unmatched psychological intelligence in George Eliot's masterpiece. Virginia Woolf called it 'one of the few English novels written for grown-up people.' Themes of marriage, ambition, provincial life run through the work. The book has received recognition from Guardian 100 Best Novels 1871 and Times Literary Supplement 1872.

Book Details

AuthorGeorge Eliot
Published1871
Country of Origin🇬🇧 United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Pages793
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780141439549
Editorial Score52/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United Kingdom →

Editorial Assessment

George Eliot published Middlemarch in 1871, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from United Kingdom. The book's treatment of marriage, ambition, provincial life, reform accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1871; Times Literary Supplement 1872. With an editorial score of 52/100 drawn from 2 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. Readers coming to Middlemarch for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of marriage, ambition, provincial life, reform is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Within United Kingdom's literary landscape, George Eliot occupies a significant position. Middlemarch is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
187121
Times Literary Supplement
list · global
187212
✍️
About the Author
George Eliot
United Kingdom
View Author →

George Eliot is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Middlemarch about?

The interlocking lives of the idealistic Dorothea Brooke, the ambitious Dr Lydgate, and the other inhabitants of the fictional Midlands town of Middlemarch are observed with unmatched psychological intelligence in George Eliot's masterpiece. Virginia Woolf called it 'one of the few English novels written for grown-up people.'

Who wrote Middlemarch?

Middlemarch was written by George Eliot, from United Kingdom. First published in 1871.

What awards has Middlemarch won?

Middlemarch has received the following awards and honours: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1871; Times Literary Supplement 1872.

Is Middlemarch worth reading?

Middlemarch is a notable work that has earned critical attention, with an aggregate editorial score of 31/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in marriage, ambition, provincial life.

Where can I buy Middlemarch?

You can buy Middlemarch on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Middlemarch?

Middlemarch is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Middlemarch from?

Middlemarch originates from United Kingdom's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Kingdom on our country page.

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