Middlemarch

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With a brilliant introduction by New Yorker writer Rebecca Mead and striking illustrations by Keren Katz, this Restless Classics edition presents George Eliot's Middlemarch in a fresh light. Esteemed as one of the greatest English-language novels, it remains a quintessential Victorian work, exploring the intricate relationship between society and the individual. Set in the 1830s, the characters—such as the pedantic Reverend Casaubon, idealistic Dr. Lydgate, and spirited Dorothea Brooke—are vividly drawn and resonate deeply. This novel delves into themes of marriage while offering a keen commentary on scientific advancements, cultural divides, and the transformations of a rural community amid global changes. Mead's insightful introduction examines Eliot's "meliorism," highlighting her belief in the potential for individuals to effect societal improvements through small, everyday actions. Dorothea's journey, marked by both triumphs and setbacks in love and social reform, prompts readers to reflect on their own roles in shaping the world. This edition reframes one of literature's most significant works for contemporary audiences.