IS MIDDLEMARCH BY GEORGE ELIOT WORTH THE READ? AN UNSPOILED REVIEW WITH A DISCUSSION ABOUT FEELINGS

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

I'm so happy we agree on this! Greatest book of all time! 🤩😍 Your entire review is correct, this makes up for all the times we've ever disagreed on a novel!

[@Shellyish]

HA! I'm glad I am redeemed.

[@99sydthesquid]

This video made me nostalgic for when I read MM last summer! I absolutely loved it too. One of my favorites of all time too. I rarely get the urge to re-read books, especially so soon after I finish them (and when they’re 800 pages😊), but I have thought about picking it up again! I completely agree about the narrator just being so fun and a little snarky. Just a fun world to be in and agreed it could’ve been longer!

[@Shellyish]

Absolutely! MM could’ve been longer. It’s such a beautiful read!

[@spreadbookjoy]

I often feel the same way about my single book reviews. But you are far better at them than you think you are - you manage to express your views really well and make me want to read the book! Middlemarch sounds like a book I will love. You’ve made me want to pick it up immediately! Though I can’t do that as so much reading on! 😂 Brilliant review Shelly!

[@paperbackstacksss]

Loved hearing your thoughts on Middlemarch, I'm even more excited to tackle it in a few months!!

[@Shellyish]

I hope you love it!

[@adrienne4028]

Well, you certainly proved that you can do an excellent book review! I thoroughly enjoyed your Middlemarch book review and agree, wholeheartedly with your descriptions. I read the book 2 years ago, and absolutely loved it. Happy reading!😊

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Adrienne! :)

[@stalkingkafka]

Ah! Can I say, I've been waiting to be able to watch this video. Now I've read it, I can. She is definitely a master of characterization, it's so impressive. I can relate to Dorothea too and for the same reasons you mentioned. I decided to annotate and I ran out of tabs for characterization and language fast - practically every page was so rich with language it really took my breath away. I didn't annotate to the narrator's voice while I was reading and now I do wish I had - she used the narration so well as a device to propel the reader to empathize with different characters and to create context - maybe a re-read is in my future! I loved it so much. Definitely the best book I've ever read.

[@Shellyish]

Oh my goodness! I'm so glad you loved it! I was mezmorized the entire time I was reading Middlemarch and couldn't stop thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I loved loved loved the book! Truly a masterpiece and it warms my heart that you loved it as well.

[@Sons_Brad_Dalton]

Your expression and passion and personal insights made me want to read this soon. Well done! Thank you for making this video. God bless

[@Shellyish]

Awe! Thank you so much!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

Wonderful to hear you speak so enthusiastically and eloquently about one of my absolute favourite books.

[@Shellyish]

Thanks, Ros! I'm so glad to see you back!

[@SpringboardThought]

Yay Middlemarch! It’s so good! This is such a well considered and great review, Shelly! It really will be tough for something to beat it this year~!

[@Shellyish]

Middlemarch is the GOAT! THE G.O.A.T.!

[@davidnovakreadspoetry]

You did a fine job with the review. It’s a book I’ve read, which you’ve refreshed for me. Your quotation makes me want to reenter the world of _Middlemarch_ (except that I have other things to read, including by Eliot).

[@Shellyish]

Thank you! I just adored Middlemarch and totally support your possible reread of it.

[@andeeheartsbooks7447]

I love that you loved it so much! Looming forward to discussing it!

[@Shellyish]

Me too!!!

[@margaretpulley5194]

Thanks for this review. I've tried to read this three times but I think your chatty review is what I needed to make MM appealing for a fourth try. Appreciate the heads up about the narrator ❤️

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Margaret!

[@annegibson6072]

Good morning. I just ordered a copy of Middlemarch. I am looking forward to reading it.

[@Shellyish]

Hope you enjoy it, Anne!

[@WellTraveledBooks]

What an amazing review! I am about 500 pages in Middlemarch right now and I am loving it!

[@Shellyish]

Awe! Thank you! Middlemarch is so good! :)

[@LaurieInTexas]

Wonderful book review. It makes me want to reread Middlemarch which O don't have on tap this year, but I look forward to it when I can. I'm so glad you loved this book. It is one of my favorites. I am reading through Eliot's novels slowly and this year I will read Adam Bede.

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Laurie! Adam Bede is next on my list. :)

[@TimothyJBerry]

Thank you for the review. I love your enthusiasm!

[@Shellyish]

Oh thank you!

[@anitahayne8621]

You have convinced me to try reading Middlemarch again. I bought it almost 3 years ago from the UK: Penguin English Library edition. I have tried to read it 2 times never getting beyond page 20. I am going to sit down and give it more of a chance. Perhaps you are right and I can’t get into the rhythm of the novel. I believe my other problem stems from having seen a BBC adaptation which was done in 1994. I didn’t like many of the actors and their portrayal of some of the characters. Your enthusiasm has convinced me that I need to go back and pick it up again. Wish me luck.

[@Shellyish]

Good luck! I really took my time with the first 100-ish pages. That time seemed to be key for me to develop a rhythm with the author. I just really loved it.

[@bookofdust]

As I said on Sandy’s channel, I really missed out on getting to read this with all the cool kids!

[@Shellyish]

It's never too late to pick it up. I have a feeling I'll be talking about it all year.

[@jojodogface898]

I dont get it. I wish i did but i don't. I had a headache after the very first page, and it never went away

[@Shellyish]

Interesting.

[@Bobbiewilhelm59]

I bought this book and by far it’s the best novel from the Victorian period. I read Jane Eyre which I couldn’t finish and Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, neither of which moved me. Middlemarch, if you can get past the heavy (but beautiful writing),is worth the read.

[@kamidsjournee]

I have been slowly acquiring books you have recommended. I actually have a “Shelly” TBR stack. It looks like I need to add Middlemarch to the stack. Thank goodness I already own it. 🥰📚📚📚📚

[@Shellyish]

Oh wow! That's so sweet and I feel so flattered. :)

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

Love this video and your amazing channel ❤❤❤needed this amazing video as I am really battling with my mental health issues

[@Shellyish]

John, I’ll be thinking of you! Glad to be of help in some way or another.

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

@@Shellyish no worries 😉 thank you 😊 very much from the bottom of my heart ❣

[@sabinelipinska8614]

As for me, it is a novel about illusions concerning love, family and life - and it seems very modern to me. Love it! My favourite characters were Lydgate and Mrs Bullstrode.

[@Shellyish]

Oh! Great observations!!

[@sheilagibson982]

I agree with you about Mary Garth.

[@robinrubendunst869]

This was a very fine post. Thank you!

[@Shellyish]

You're very welcome!

[@trishbovell9042]

Middlemarch is on my TBR for this year. You inspired me to start sooner than later!❤❤

[@Shellyish]

I hope you love it, Trish!

[@trishbovell9042]

@@Shellyish I just picked it off my shelf and saw this alert. Kismet

[@vijayamohandharmavaram5404]

Just finished rreading it. Going through booktubers to relive the experience. It took 1 month for me complete it

[@Elizabeth-Reads]

You did such a great job with this single book review! And I'm so excited now to finally read Middlemarch. Can I ask whether you like this edition? Are the pages reasonably heavy and would it be a good edition for annotating? I have the PEL version, which is nice to hold, but it feels flimsy for the length and since it'll take me awhile to read I'm almost scared it'll fall apart! Thanks for this fantastic review!

[@Shellyish]

Oh! Good questions, Elizabeth. I love Penguin classics because of their introductions, notes, and familiarity. The pages may not be the best for annotating unless you have a lightweight writing instrument. I hope this answers your questions. Thank you for the kind words.

[@Elizabeth-Reads]

@@Shellyish Thanks so much, Shelly! I’ve never owned a Penguin Classics edition, so this is good to know.

[@amyaybar7894]

You did a great job reviewing this book!

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Amy!

[@knapalo]

It took over 147 pages for me to settle into that book. It was close to a DNF for me but I did enjoy it from the middle onwards.

[@Shellyish]

147 sounds about right. I loved the early part when Dorothea is in Rome. :)

[@sandra7319.]

I read my third Elliot in January, Silas Marner, which is her shortest It is such a beautiful, soulful book!! After reading Daniel Deronda (a book about a man who finds out he is jewish and the book has more Jewish characters than any book written at that time) I knew I had to find out more about Georg. She is someone I would have liked to know as she grew in her beliefs and took unpopular positions.

[@Shellyish]

I’ve been wanting to read a book of Eliot’s that depicts Jewish characters. In my job I’m currently immersed in the Jewish culture and I’d love to read something that’ll enrich my experience. ☺️

[@sandra7319.]

@@Shellyish Oh, I would love to hear what you are doing as many people are not submersed in the Jewish culture in S.C. I am of Jewish heritage in the south, but not faith, and as I get older I collect and read more and more about the Jewish experience, famous Jews and the jewish immigrant experience. I would be happy to provide some book titles. As for Daniel Deronda, Elliot became interested in learning more about the Jewish people based on her travels around Europe. She was also one of the first authors to write about a Jewish homeland. The book gives a glimpse into the Jewish experience both pride and shame (the later based on treatment) in England, how Jews were treated or viewed during the Victorian period, etc.

[@Shellyish]

@@sandra7319. I’m actually working at a Jewish school in town. ☺️

[@krc5210]

I read the first few pages of Middlemarch, I own the book, but stopped and ordered the audio. So yes when I saw you were discussing this novel that was click-bate for me! HAHA.

[@Shellyish]

Oh! How lovely! I hope you love it!

[@emmairena]

Middlemarch is my favorite book ever!!!! it has stuck with me since i finished it MONTHS ago

[@Shellyish]

It was amazing!!

[@novelideea]

I am so happy you loved MM❤😊

[@Shellyish]

Gosh, it was beautiful!

[@sonjadevenney2524]

Great review!

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Sonja.

[@MIDDLEoftheBookMARCH]

I’m so happy right now!!! ❤❤❤

[@Shellyish]

EEEEEH! We now share a favorite book!

[@MIDDLEoftheBookMARCH]

@@Shellyish if you’re going to read more Eliot eventually Adam Bede is wonderful. Her first full length novel. Th colloquial language is challenging but it’s smooth sailing when you get the hang of it. 🥰

[@Shellyish]

@@MIDDLEoftheBookMARCH I do own Adam Bede so I’m going to bump that up in the list.

[@StephanieJCohen]

I wish I had read MM with you guys. I need to get to it. :)

[@Shellyish]

I should've made Middlemarch a readalong. Shucks!

[@officialejprice]

middlemarch is on my tbr cause or you!!

[@Shellyish]

I hope you love it!

[@MsReadsAlot]

Middlemarch ❤❤❤

[@Shellyish]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MIDDLEoftheBookMARCH]

I haven’t even had time to watch the video yet and I’m already terrified… 🫣🫣🫣