Middlemarch by George Eliot (preloved)

Middlemarch by George Eliot (the pen name of Mary Ann Evans) is a classic novel set in a fictional English town during the early 19th century. The story intertwines the lives of several characters, primarily focusing on Dorothea Brooke, an idealistic young woman who marries the much older and somewhat uncharismatic scholar, Mr. Casaubon, in hopes of pursuing a meaningful life. Her disillusionment with her marriage contrasts with the storylines of other characters, such as Dr. Lydgate, a well-meaning but ambitious doctor, and Rosamond Vincy, who seeks to climb the social ladder.

The novel explores themes of marriage, social class, ambition, and the limitations placed on women in society. It also addresses the tensions between personal desires and societal expectations, delving deeply into the complexities of human relationships and the social fabric of the time. Middlemarch is praised for its rich character development and its insightful critique of Victorian society.