The Bookylicious Middlemarch Readathon!
Paul Jeorrett introduces the Bookylicious Middlemarch Readathon 2022, and invites you to join us in reading this classic work of literature
Hello and welcome to the Bookylicious Middlemarch Readathon. What a fabulous way to start 2022.
Middlemarch by George Eliot is a book often featured in the top 100 books of all time, but, perhaps because of its size (a healthy 800+ pages) or maybe its weighty literary pedigree, many people resist diving in. This is a shame, because it is a fantastic book and a really great read. When Pauline, one of our book group members, suggested we should think about reading it, it seemed like an opportunity too good to miss, and the Middlemarch readathon was born!
Here is how it is going to work. The book breaks down into eight books, which all average about 100-120 pages, handy fortnightly chunks which roughly work out to this:
1–15 January: Book 1
15–29 January: Book 2
29 January–12 February: Book 3
12–26 February: Book 4
26 February–12 March: Book 5
12–26 March: Book 6
26 March–9 April: Book 7
9–23 April: Book 8
Every two weeks I will post a blog entry here to let you know how I am getting on and any thoughts I have about the book. You can then comment on the posts and share your views as we go along, hopefully leading to some interesting discussion; remember, we don’t all have to agree! For those of you in the Wrexham area, we will be having a final get together in Wrexham Library as part of Wrexham Carnival of Words 2022 to share our experiences of the readathon.
Don’t worry if you find yourself falling behind or (more likely) reading ahead. It really doesn’t matter; it is a chance to share together in the experience of reading a fabulous work of literature.
In about a week’s time do check back here and leave any comments. I am sure we will be discussing this as part of the Bookylicious podcast each month as well; who knows, if you comment you may get a mention. So good luck and enjoy the Middlemarch readathon.
© Paul Jeorrett 2022
12 Replies to “The Bookylicious Middlemarch Readathon!”
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Looking forward to reading along with you all.
Amanda
Welcome aboard Amanda!
Paul
Love to join you all.
You are most welcome Colette. Lovely to hear from you! Paul
A wonderful book – even better on second reading.
Welcome Peter, I too am enjoying it even more second time round. Looking forward to a lively discussion between now and April. Paul
I’m in! My mum is really enjoying it atm and I’d been thinking of rereading it myself.
Welcome Bev, I’m looking forward to hearing how you are getting in with it! Paul
I’m looking forward to reading Middlemarch. It’s my best friends favourite book. Already behind but I’ll try and catch up!
Thank for suggesting it Pauline. Take your time a d enjoy it. Paul
Have loved re-reading this old favourite, it’s like going back to visit old friends I haven’t seen for a while. Finished book one, and thanks to Peter I now have a comprehensive character list and family tree. I love that even with familiar books there is always something new to discover. Looking forward to starting book two.
I noticed some wonderful “quotable quotes”, some of them worthy of Lady Bracknell, e.g:
“Mr Standish, the old lawyer, had been so long concerned with the landed gentry that he had become landed himself.”
“I like a medical man more on a footing with the servants; they are often cleverer.”
“It was a room where one might fancy the ghost of a tight-laced lady revisiting the scene of her embroidery”
“Mr Brooke’s general laxity came from his inordinate travel and habit of taking too much in the form of ideas.”
“The farmers at the tithe dinner who were not ashamed of their grandfathers’ furniture.”