Ranking George Eliot's Books

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My video about my reading journey with George Eliot:

[beautifulminutiae]

Silas Marner is my only George Eliot I’ve read so far. I absolutely love it, but nostalgia plays a big role. My dad read it aloud to me when I was 10 and it’s such a sweet memory … and a huge reason why I got into Victorian lit!

[iiling]

It's always interesting to hear the thoughts of other readers of GE. Like you, I absolutely adore Romola! Just finished it today and am digesting it all slowly. At this point in time, my tops would be, on equal par, Middlemarch, Daniel Deronda and Romola, all taking first spots for various reasons but most invitingly for me is GE's mastery of the language which glitters brilliantly in every single one of these books. I would have to do a reread (which I look forward to!) in order to rank them. I am just a little saddened by the fact that a book like Romola is not as well acclaimed as the others. It was no doubt the most challenging read which gifted me with mental agony for countless twilight mornings but it is all so gratifying at the end of it all. Loving the difficulties of her prose, the required background reading to understanding Italian and Jewish terms, and the complex political and cultural issues of that time. GE is my new found favourite author this year and will likely remain up there for a long time.

[davet]

I love George Eliot. Along with Dickens and Dostoevsky, one of my big 3 most cherished authors. George Eliot writes with so much insight into human psychology and relationships. She has such depth of compassion for human frailty and suffering, and at the same time, puts forth such a high vision of moral duty.
I love all her novels. I've just finished my second reading of The Mill on the Floss. I've previously read Middlemarch twice, and all her other novels once. My favourites are: Middlemarch, Romola, The Mill on the Floss, Daniel Deronda, Adam Bede. I'm glad to hear some high praise for Romola. It's generally not so well-loved but I found it very engrossing and profound.

[gangoffour]

Adam Bede is the most beautifully written book ever. It's a real masterpiece.

[Dinadoesyoga]

Revisiting this video as I'm currently reading Adam Bede for the first time and LOVE it. I dnfed Silas Marner about 4 years ago. Like you, I didn't connect with it. Didn't even get to the main plot point yet. 😅 And Middlemarch was a challenge for me when I read it, but want to revisit it. I think I've matured as a reader and would have different expectations now. Thank you for the inspiration!

[LaurieInTexas]

Good to know you enjoyed Daniel Deronda. I plan to start reading it in July and I am excited. I can't believe you reread The Mill on the Floss after not enjoying it. It took me three tries to finish it and I will never consider reading it again.

[brookemercer]

I have three of her novels left (Daniel, Felix, Romola) and I don’t want to be done. It’s so hard for me to rank them not having completely finished, but I appreciate you sharing your ranking and getting me so excited to keep reading. I already can’t wait to reread Mill and Middlemarch.

[jjrecon]

Sharing the excitement...
Yesterday, found a needle in a haystack;
1889 Deronda in good condition, absolutely stunning to look at and powerful to behold. 😍
Everyone, rescue old books plz.

[scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

I think The Mill On The Floss is my least favourite for some of the reasons you give but it's still a book I love. I have Scenes of Clerical Life left to read. Middlemarch and Adam Bede vie for my top spot I think. But Romola and DD are close behind. It was lovely to hear you enthuse about Romola as many people don't seem to get it.

Of course the really challenging question for me is which is my favourite English novelist, Eliot, Austen or Woolf?

[pinabaker]

I’ve read a couple of George Eliot books - Mill on the Floss and Middlemarch. Both a long time ago but I remember I loved them. Thanks for the recommendations of her other books. I’ve especially intrigued about Romola and will add to my TBR list as well as several others. I hadn’t even heard of several of these. Well done as always. I love your videos ❤️

[adayofsmallthings]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I have only read two so far - many more to go!

[CafeCynthia]

Thank you! This video makes me want to reread her books! I think Daniel Deronda was my favorite.

[amyodell]

Wow! If I can get through one reading of Adam Bede or those other bigger ones I think I’ve really done something. Congratulations! That’s awesome! I did an oral book report on Silas Marner in junior college. I remember loving it. I have Middle March, Daniel Deronda, and Romola on TBR. Very helpful video. 👏🏻

[noexit]

Very unique! I totally expected to hear Romola and Felix Holt to be at the bottom. Silas Marner is like Dickens’ Christmas Carol sort of thing, a story that can be understood by the majority—no Latin, no Greek, no Hebrew, no original excerpts from Don Quixote…

[kathleencraine]

So interesting, Kate. I agree completely that it's almost impossible to "rank" them--the books are all so different. I think what I love about Middlemarch is that I feel completely immersed in that world while I'm reading it, and I carry it around with me for a long time after finishing. I haven't read Felix Holt or Romola yet, and need to re-read Mill on the Floss. I do love Silas Marner; it is such a gentle, fairy-tale style book and we have so much to learn from Silas. I felt more captivated by it when I listened to it on audiobook as a re-read.

[novellenovels]

I already loved silas marner so think middlemarch will be my next of hers or Daniel deronda soon 🧐

[jentan]

I read Middlemarch last year and am looking forward to reading more George Eliot.

[a.g.]

I've read 2 of her novels, 1 novela & one of her super short stories. I LOVED Middlemarch & Silas Marner. 🙂 💖 I look forward to reading Daniel Deronda, Romola and Adam Bede.

[kseniyasbooknook]

Glad to see you loved Middlemarch- I’m planning to read it this year and am looking into things on her books. It’s amazing that you read so much of her work! Sometimes timing is so important for sure, a books reception depends on where one is in life too

[enchantedbookendz]

Hi Kate! I just started reading Middlemarch for the very first time. In fact, it’s my very first George Eliot. This video was super helpful in terms of the order in which I should read her books. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! :)