I wrote a midway post so I could participate in Nymeth's Middlemarch readalong. A post containing my full thoughts on the book will be up next week or the week after.
If I had one word to describe Middlemarch it would be dense. Each page is packed with information that advances the plot. It’s actually caused me to notice why I have trouble with classics. I cannot skim which I do frequently with contemporary books. Yes, I admit I skim books. I usually read the beginning, first 50-80 pages. If nothing really catches me then I skim/read the rest of the book. With Middlemarch there is no room to skim. I have to give it 110% of my attention something that’s so hard for me to do. If I’m not totally engrossed in a book, then look shiny thing!
Around page 200, I considered throwing in the towel. But so many people talked about how they liked the book and since it’s on my Fill In The Gaps Challenge and I wasn’t hating the book, I had to find a way to keep reading. After reading the information in Wikipedia, I felt that I would really enjoy the rest of the book. I’m about ½ and really enjoying it now.
I really like Dorothea. She’s a smart women in an age where smart women weren’t listened to. She’s not content to be left out of the conversation. Dorothea wants to learn more in order to contribute. Here’s another reason I almost quit reading. After the first bit, Dorothea drops out of the story for a few 100 pages. And the other characters weren’t as interesting. Ok, I was interested in Mary and Fred. Mary is another headstrong woman. She’s doing her own thing, making her own “bread” (money). Fred’s a nice guy but not interested in a job. Fred likes to party and gamble. Fred loves Mary but Mary won’t marry him unless he finds an occupation (and not the clergy). I enjoyed their banter. They seemed like the most real couple to me.
I’ll hold the rest of my observations til I finish the rest. Cross your fingers that I can finish it this weekend.
I haven't read Middlemarch, so I will be really interested to see what you think in the end.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Linda! Almost wish I'd joined in with this... started Middlemarch a few years ago with an online book group, got behind, and put it aside. I didn't dislike it, but wasn't quite fully engaged either. My bookmark is still inside :-( Someday...
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with Middlemarch - I found the beginning very slow and had to force myself to concentrate and keep reading. I loved it in the end, though!
ReplyDeleteI would have to make sure that I had no distractions in order to read a book that dense and filled with information!! You can finish it!
ReplyDeleteSo I have this favour to ask. I am taking classes to become a librarian, right now my group is writing about marketing. I am looking beyond Finland.
ReplyDeleteDoes your library do anything special to get people to come there, oh and does it have some website I could look at? :)
I loved Dorothea for all the reasons you mentioned. And I was taken aback when she disappeared too, but fortunately I warmed up to the other characters. This book does demand our full attention, but I hope you'll find it worth it by the end! Best of luck with the rest of it.
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