"Middlemarch"

 

Definitely looks like the Victorian era.

"Middlemarch" is widely considered to be George Eliot's greatest work. It follows the people of the fictional town of Middlemarch through years of their lives, including marriages, births, deaths, and the occasional scandal and dispute over the terms of a rich relative's will. This is English historical fiction, after all!

I found the novel notable for its detailed and believable depiction of character relationships, particularly between Dorothea and Celia and Casaubon, and Lydgate and Rosamond. Eliot masterfully portrays how assumptions, misunderstandings, and jealousy can lead people astray and push families apart.

Also noteworthy is Eliot's wry commentary on women's issues. Born Mary Ann Evans, it's said that she took up the penname George Eliot so her literary work would be judged on its merits, not on her status as a woman. I bet she found it cathartic to sneak observations into the text about gender relations and men's frequently poor financial decisions.

Verdict: As a friend of mine put it, "Middlemarch" is Austen meets Dickens. Worth a read for anyone interested in historical fiction featuring well-realized characters. Recommended.