Is a life of duty and self-sacrifice noble or ridiculous? What can 21st-century readers take away from Middlemarch, A Study of Provincial Life, one of the great English novels? Heather Mac Donald joins Michael Knowles for a discussion of George Eliot’s comprehensive tale of marriage, idealism, loyalty, and profligacy in a nineteenth-century English town.

In our fast-paced world, it’s tough to make reading a priority. At least it used to be. At Thinkr.org they summarize the key ideas from new and noteworthy nonfiction, giving you access to an entire library of great books in bite-size form. Read or listen to hundreds of titles in a matter of minutes: start your free trial today at Thinkr.org.