Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880), known by her pen name George Eliot, was one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. Her novels are known for their realism and psychological insight. Four of them are included in this volume: Middlemarch, The Mill on the Floss, Silas Marner, and The Lifted Veil.

Middlemarch, A Study of Provincial Life explores various subjects of concern to modern life: art, education, idealism, medicine, politics, religion, science, self, society, the status of women, and human relationships. Some of the most memorable portraits in English literature occur among Eliot’s characters: Dorothea Brooke, Rosamond Vincy, Edward Casaubon, and Will Ladislaw.

The Mill on the Floss chronicles the lives of Tom and Maggie Tulliver. The most important threads concern Maggie’s relationship with her brother, and her romantic relationships with Philip Wakem and Stephen Guest. The Mill on the Floss highlights the tension between circumstances and the energies of individuals that struggle against them.

Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe (1861) presents a contemplative study of rural English life, intimately exploring themes of love, loss, and redemption. Set against a pastoral backdrop, it follows the hermit-like weaver, Silas Marner, whose trajectory from isolation to community serves as a poignant exploration of human resilience. Other key characters, like the morally bankrupt Dunstan Cass and the guileless Eppie, deepen Eliot's incisive commentary on societal values and the transformative power of love.

The Lifted Veil (1859) is a compelling foray into the realms of the supernatural and human consciousness. Set in the heart of Victorian England, it explores themes of clairvoyance, the burdens of foreknowledge, and the complexities of human relationships. The novella features Latimer, a clairvoyant protagonist, whose uncanny abilities lead to intense psychological explorations and complex social dynamics. His relationships with his brother Alfred and his wife Bertha provide a vivid exploration of George Eliot's insights into the human psyche and the paradoxes of knowledge.