Ian’s Reviews > Middlemarch > Status Update
Ian
is on page 740 of 880
“There are episodes in most men’s lives in which their highest qualities can only cast a deterring shadow over the objects that fill their inward vision: Lydgate’s tender-heartedness was present just then only as a dread lest he should offend against it, not as an emotion that swayed him to tenderness.”
And then on the next page she pulls this off. So articulate about what goes on in the mind, damn.
— 3 hours, 23 min ago
And then on the next page she pulls this off. So articulate about what goes on in the mind, damn.
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Ian’s Previous Updates
Ian
is on page 740 of 880
“‘Why can’t you think it your duty to submit a little to what James wishes?’ said Celia, with a sense of stringency in her argument. [J is her husband.] ‘Because he only wishes what is for your own good. And of course men know best about everything, except what women know better.’”
Funny little moments reminiscent of P&P sprinkled throughout this novel.
— 3 hours, 29 min ago
Funny little moments reminiscent of P&P sprinkled throughout this novel.
Ian
is on page 733 of 880
“Full souls are double mirrors, making still an endless vista of fair things before, repeating things behind.”
— Jan 19, 2026 04:24PM
Ian
is on page 720 of 880
Another thing I appreciate about Middlemarch is that in contrast to Great Expectations, Bleak House, etc., novels that develop out from a central mystery or intrigue or conflict and maintain that focus, there is a little more play in the joints here. Feels more like the real world. I have a sense of some things I would like to have happen with the end of this story, but I can’t say what will…
— Jan 19, 2026 04:01PM
Ian
is on page 640 of 880
Marriage 1: guy dies but he sucked. Yay
Marriage 2: poor communication leading toward resentment and stonewalling. John Gottman, help!
Couple 3: those two you just want to openly speak their feelings so they can be together…but they can’t because it’s England where feelings are a terrible bother.
Triangle 1: girl feels tied to guy who needs to grow up. Older guy #2 is better but who will win!? We will see.
— Jan 11, 2026 02:57PM
Marriage 2: poor communication leading toward resentment and stonewalling. John Gottman, help!
Couple 3: those two you just want to openly speak their feelings so they can be together…but they can’t because it’s England where feelings are a terrible bother.
Triangle 1: girl feels tied to guy who needs to grow up. Older guy #2 is better but who will win!? We will see.
