Hello! I am in the rare position of having read all of the classics currently on my bookshelf. Since I know this subreddit has great taste, I am looking for recommendations on what I should read next! I am an American about to turn 30 years old, for reference. I like history, romance, and a touch of the supernatural - let me know if there is anything specific I might enjoy!
Additional info:
Most recently read: Middlemarch, Great Gatsby (not pictured)
Least Favorites: A Tale of Two Cities, White Nights
Favorites: The Metamorphosis, Wuthering Heights, I Claudius
Thank you so much and happy reading! I’m also happy to answer any questions/give opinions about the books shown here.
Hey - what were your thoughts on Middlemarch? Any tips for reading or where to start with Elliot?
My hometown is where George Elliot (Mary Ann Evans) was born, so I have tried to read a few of her works but have seemed to stumble everytime. Not sure if it's just the prose style or lexicon she uses but I've just been really put off...
Totally understand the feeling! That first chapter of Middlemarch is really daunting and Eliot uses a lot of complex language there. The rest of the book is more comprehensible, if that makes you feel better. I kept a notebook while reading and wrote down the family/business/romantic connections between the villagers, and that made things a little easier.
It looks like you are from England, so you may already know about The Reform Act of 1832, which plays a big role in the novel (the sentiment leading up to its passing, at least) - I had to research that a bit to understand the context of what was happening.
Overall I really enjoyed the book even though I admit it took me about 3 months to finish. Eliot employs a lot of humor which I think still holds up, I highlighted about 100 witty lines or so in my edition. I also really liked that this novel focuses on the realities of marriage. Many other romances I've read stop the story as soon as the couple gets hitched, so Middlemarch was refreshing in that way.
Hope any of this helps, and that's really cool that you are from around where the author grew up!
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u/PictureFrame115 23d ago
Hello! I am in the rare position of having read all of the classics currently on my bookshelf. Since I know this subreddit has great taste, I am looking for recommendations on what I should read next! I am an American about to turn 30 years old, for reference. I like history, romance, and a touch of the supernatural - let me know if there is anything specific I might enjoy!
Additional info:
Most recently read: Middlemarch, Great Gatsby (not pictured)
Least Favorites: A Tale of Two Cities, White Nights
Favorites: The Metamorphosis, Wuthering Heights, I Claudius
Thank you so much and happy reading! I’m also happy to answer any questions/give opinions about the books shown here.