The real George Eliott : a biography of the writer, a study of the towns and houses in which she lived, and an introduction to the readers she continues to inspire

**In this book, particular focus is given to Eliot’s childhood surroundings, and how these, and the individuals she knew in her youth, influenced aspects of her writing.** The Real George Eliot revisits the life of the groundbreaking nineteenth century novelist. Eliot was a writer who explored such important questions as the role of women in society and the education they were allowed to access, religion and the restrictions it could sometimes place on individuals, and the struggle between a person’s public and private persona. Her own private life was the cause of much speculation and notoriety. Eliot chose to ignore most of the conventions of Victorian society in order to pursue her own happiness, and her relationship with George Henry Lewes scandalized many members of ‘polite’ society. Regardless of this, however, she overcame such prejudice and in later life enjoyed the company of some of the greatest thinkers and academics of the time, and this is a testament to her formidable intelligence. The fact that she is still so widely read today, is a sign of the longevity of her skills as a writer. Cover Book Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Chapter One In which I first make the acquaintance of George Eliot Chapter Two In which I pay my first visit to Nuneaton and follow in the footsteps of George Eliot herself Chapter Three In which George Eliot’s importance as a writer, an academic, and a social and political thinker is considered Chapter Four In which George Eliot is born and thrives, and her childhood surroundings leave an indelible mark on her conscience Chapter Five In which George Eliot fervently embraces her faith before losing it, plunging her father into despair Chapter Six In which George Eliot not only facesloss and grief, but is also given somefine opportunities to travel Chapter Seven In which George Eliot finds work with the Westminster Review, meets G H Lewes, and leaves England Plate section Chapter Eight In which George Eliot lives, loves and thrives while in exile Chapter Nine In which George Eliot’s views on the role of women in society are further scrutinised and discussed Chapter Ten In which George Eliot is persuaded to begin her career as a novelist Chapter Eleven In which George Eliot becomes amother figure to three sons, and introduces The Mill on the Floss and Silas Marner to the world Chapter Twelve In which George Eliot writes two more novels, moves house and suffers further tragedy Chapter Thirteen In which George Eliot writes her masterpiece, and suffers a greater tragedy than ever before Chapter Fourteen In which the world loses one of its greatest writers Further Reading Index In The Life Of George Eliot, particular focus is given to Eliot's childhood surroundings, and how these, and the individuals she knew in her youth, influenced aspects of her writing. "The Real George Eliot revisits the life of the ... nineteenth-century novelist and focuses on the impact she had on her readers, including the biographer herself."