Curtis’s Reviews > Middlemarch > Status Update

Once things fall into place for Dorothea, the book seems in a hurry to wrap up, with understated endings for each of them that resolve in a similar way, with help of time jumps. Wish it had slightly different pacing priorities, truncating some parts to expand on others. Moments of suspense where it seems like a polite Game of Thrones, but those are the exception to book's mild tone. Very strong novel overall though!

Once things fall into place for Dorothea, the book seems in a hurry to wrap up, with understated endings for each of them that resolve in a similar way, with help of time jumps. Wish it had slightly different pacing priorities, truncating some parts to expand on others. Moments of suspense where it seems like a polite Game of Thrones, but those are the exception to book's mild tone. Very strong novel overall though!

Again, book takes a direction easy to see coming, but exact path to get there a surprise, & more complicated than audience has been led to expect. Feeling bit dubious whether book can satisfyingly conclude all these threads with 100 pages left, but hoping Dodo is more prominent--feel she was sidelined. Not really feeling much like climax is coming; episodic nature increasing as story goes. Still hopeful for good end!

More apparent momentum issues as stakes raised in some perspectives and takes lots of time to come back to them. Might cross line into too many characters? Still enjoying though slowing down. In other ways, picking up, with lots of modernity creeping in to change ways of community--trains, land and franchise reforms, etc. Madame Bovary vibes with Lydgate/Rose, funny moments w/ Celia. There might be a villain now!

'Between scenes' storytelling a bit disorienting at times--major events (marriages, births, improving tenant conditions) are set up, but happen during a time jump so we only see results afterward. Plot thickening with possible villain character! Mysteries relating to one character might have big bearings on others; well beyond typical slice of life now, with intrigue steadily rising. Interesting way to take this!

Masterful use of anticlimax! Twice now the story has built up tension around something only to subvert closure and throw a bit of a wrench into the character's mental states because of how things play out. Also interesting reflections on the 'yoke' of marriage even after a person dies due to their will; how characters impact others even when absent. Jumps in time/major events bewildering at times; go with the flow.

Surprisingly tense will-reading scene! Mysterious character enters stage; stakes raised; didn't expect it to go there! Moving into politics; a bit wary about this since many references are now going over my head since they tackle contemporary issues. Love triangle, class commentary (highlighting landlord/tenant dynamic), all being advanced in interesting ways. Though wary about upcoming lull, I'm thoroughly enjoying!

Liking all perspectives now! Becoming a polite Game of Thrones with characters conniving for power/status. Richly insightful moments reflecting on domestic aspects; characters so well done. Biting dialogue, funny, meta-humour in narrative as it bounces between characters. Won't be easy for all readers to keep up with its meandering nature; go with the flow. Connections with 'Vindication of Rights of Woman.' Enjoying!

Well done chapter only focusing on the why's of Dodo's emotional state--beginning to appreciate the 'introspective' sections. Seems to want to expand her horizons and challenge herself but finds herself inside another trap society has set for her. Love triangle imminent but I'm interested due to characterization. Though some sections difficult, some challenging diction, I'm happy with how much I'm enjoying it so far!

Complete shift in perspectives; new set of characters. Striking how book weaves between characters, jumps into their heads etc; a rarity in Victorian novels. Omniscient voice feels very modern. Funny how Eliot takes an aside to tell you directly that things will all tie together. Rosamond is Dodo's opposite; sets contrast in relation women have to expectancies placed upon them, especialyl regarding marriage.