Middlemarch: Original 1871 Illustrated Edition

by George Eliot

Discover Middlemarch by George Eliot, a timeless masterpiece hailed as one of the greatest novels in English literature. Originally published in 1871, this classic Victorian novel explores universal themes of love, ambition, societal expectations, and moral dilemmas. Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch, George Eliot paints a vivid portrait of 19th-century English provincial life through a richly woven narrative that resonates with readers to this day.

Follow the lives of unforgettable characters like Dorothea Brooke, a passionate and idealistic young woman, and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, an ambitious physician striving for reform. Their intertwined stories, along with those of Fred Vincy, Mary Garth, and others, delve into themes of marriage, personal sacrifice, social change, and the pursuit of happiness. With its intricate plot, psychological depth, and sharp observations of human behavior, Middlemarch appeals to fans of other literary classics like Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.

George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, is celebrated for her realism, moral insight, and profound character development. Middlemarch stands alongside her other notable works, such as Silas Marner and The Mill on the Floss, as a pillar of Victorian literature. This edition, carefully republished by The Lost Book Project, preserves the novel’s historical integrity while making it accessible for modern readers. Ideal for fans of classic literature, period dramas, and thought-provoking storytelling, Middlemarch is a must-read for anyone seeking a compelling and enduring tale of human experience.

Whether you’re discovering George Eliot for the first time or revisiting her work, this beautifully republished edition of Middlemarch will transport you to a world of intricate relationships, poignant struggles, and profound insights. Perfect for book clubs, literary enthusiasts, and collectors of timeless novels, this volume reintroduces a literary gem that continues to inspire and captivate readers worldwide.

1032 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2024

About the author

Mary Ann Evans, known by her pen name George Eliot, was an English novelist, poet, journalist, translator, and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She wrote seven novels: Adam Bede (1859), The Mill on the Floss (1860), Silas Marner (1861), Romola (1862–1863), Felix Holt, the Radical (1866), Middlemarch (1871–1872) and Daniel Deronda (1876). Like Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy, she emerged from provincial England; most of her works are set there. Her works are known for their realism, psychological insight, sense of place and detailed depiction of the countryside.
Middlemarch was described by the novelist Virginia Woolf as "one of the few English novels written for grown-up people" and by Martin Amis and Julian Barnes as the greatest novel in the English language.