Romola

by

Paperback, 622 pages

English language

Published Nov. 11, 1998 by Oxford University Press.

ISBN:
978-0-19-283568-0
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OCLC Number:
40262254

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3 stars (1 review)

Eliot’s only historical novel, set in 15th century Florence under the rule of the Medicis, blends fact with fiction as the reader follows the almost saint-like Romola and the amoral and feckless Tito Melema whom she marries against the advice of her brother, an equally saintly priest. An impressive account of Renaissance life in a wealthy Italian state.

30 editions

reviewed Romola by George Eliot (Penguin English library)

Review of 'Romola' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Hint: check out this witty video-lecture summary of Renaissance Florence to help you get your bearings before you dive in: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tecocKSclwc

In this book Eliot was trying to break out of her mold by doing a more distant (in time and place) historical fiction piece. In some ways the plot and characters are recognizable Eliot tropes. But the star of the show is Florence itself (and its historical context). Eliot is clearly infatuated with this subject and researched it thoroughly. But she seems to be so eager to show off her city to us, tour-guide-style, that she neglects her usual attention to character development and to articulating the nuances of human foibles. Because of this, the characters are less interesting and the particular genius of George Eliot is less on display, than in her other works.

Subjects

  • Savonarola, Girolamo, 1452-1498 -- Fiction
  • Women -- Italy -- Florence -- Fiction
  • Greeks -- Italy -- Florence -- Fiction
  • Self-sacrifice -- Fiction
  • Married women -- Fiction
  • Florence (Italy) -- Fiction