
The opening transports listeners to the rolling Midlands of England, where the clatter of coach wheels and the scent of fresh wheat give way to a landscape of larches, oaks and tranquil rivers. Against this bucolic backdrop, the story introduces a community wrestling with the lingering effects of old‑fashioned politics—pocket boroughs, oppressive corn laws, and a growing sense of unrest among its people. It is here that a young, earnest man steps forward, driven by a fierce belief in justice and a desire to reshape the world around him.
As the narrative unfolds, the listener encounters the tangled web of local loyalties, family histories, and the simmering tensions between tradition and progress. The protagonist’s radical ideals clash with entrenched interests, prompting questions about duty, sacrifice, and the true cost of change. Richly drawn characters and vivid countryside scenes invite you to experience a slice of Victorian England where hope battles hardship, and every choice reverberates through the lives of those who share the road.
Language
en
Duration
~17 hours (1014K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2012-09-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1819–1880
Best known for bringing sharp moral insight and deep sympathy to Victorian fiction, this English novelist wrote stories that make ordinary lives feel vast and memorable. Her books, including Middlemarch and The Mill on the Floss, are still loved for their intelligence, humor, and emotional truth.
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