At its core, Middlemarch revolves around the lives of the diverse inhabitants of a provincial town during the early 19th century, providing an intricate portrayal of societal complexities and individual aspirations. The central figure, Dorothea Brooke, is a young and idealistic woman yearning for purpose and intellectual fulfillment. As she navigates the challenges of marriage, relationships, and societal expectations, the narrative expands to encompass a wide array of characters, each grappling with their own ambitions and moral quandaries. From the ambitious doctor Tertius Lydgate to the charismatic but flawed Will Ladislaw, Middlemarch weaves together multiple plotlines, offering a panoramic view of human experiences, love, and the pursuit of meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Although Middlemarch was not popular when first released its fame has since grown and the novel is now regarded as one of the finest of English literature. It has been adapted several times into film and television.

GEORGE ELIOT, pseudonym for MARY ANN EVANS [1819-1880], was an English novelist. Several of her works are considered among the most important in British literature within the realistic novel tradition. They often unfold in the English countryside and are characterized by a deeply empathetic psychological portrayal that was ahead of its time.