Of Human Bondage

by George Meredith

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

Genres: Classics, Literature

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1915

About the author

George Meredith of Britain wrote novels, such as The Ordeal of Richard Feverel (1859), and poetic works, including Modern Love (1862).

During the Victorian era, Meredith read law, and people articled him as a solicitor, but shortly after marrying Mary Ellen Nicolls, a 30-year-old widowed daughter of Thomas Love Peacock, in 1849 at 21 years of age, he abandoned that profession for journalism.

He collected his early writings, first published in periodicals, into Poems, which was published to some acclaim in 1851. His wife left him and their five-year old son in 1858; she died three years later. Her departure was the inspiration for The Ordeal of Richard Feverel (1859), his first "major novel." It was considered a breakthrough novel, but its sexual frankness caused a scandal and prevented it from being widely read.

As an advisor to publishers, Meredith is credited with helping Thomas Hardy start his literary career, and was an early associate of J. M. Barrie. Before his death, Meredith was honored from many quarters: he succeeded Lord Tennyson as president of the Society of Authors; in 1905 he was appointed to the Order of Merit by King Edward VII.

His works include: The Shaving of Shagpat (1856), Farina (1857), Vittoria (1867) and The Egoist (1879). The Egoist is one of his most enduring works.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

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Reviews

[Colleen Mavrocoleas]

Enjoyed Maugham's incisive writing and understanding of the human condition.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It isn't necessarily exciting, but it has its own sense of adventure. The realism of the character is remarkable, and had my emotions running the gamut from disturbed to despondent to hopeful. The main character has you hating him, and then rooting for him, thinking he got what he deserved, and then wondering at his bad luck. He is unapologetic, and both oblivious and introspective. He's human, and in the end, you cannot begrudge him that.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't remember the story because I read it so long ago but I remember loving the writing.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books never forgotten. See lots of Philips and Mildreds in life. Helps answer what's important in life for yourself.