Eliot’s first novel to be given to all reading groups in Warwickshire
A partnership between Warwickshire Library and Information Service and the George Eliot Fellowship is giving free copies of George Eliot’s first novel, ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’ to all reading groups across Warwickshire to mark the 150th anniversary of its publication.
‘Scenes of Clerical Life’, which is set at several locations in and around Nuneaton including Arbury, Chilvers Coton and Astley, was published anonymously in 1857 amid enthusiastic reviews from contemporary writers including William Thackeray and Charles Dickens. Critics in the Saturday Review heralded “the production of a peculiar and remarkable writer.”
Reading groups are incredibly popular in Warwickshire, and the library service loans special sets of books chosen especially for reading groups to around 100 based in the county.
Each of these groups will receive free copies of ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’ paid for by the George Eliot Fellowship. This was established as long ago as 1930 to promote interest in the writer’s life and works, and currently has about 500 members all over the world.
The fellowship’s chair, John Burton, is eager to see many more take the opportunity to receive a free copy of the book and start a reading group.
He said: “George Eliot is an integral part of Warwickshire’s cultural heritage and we hope that the celebration of Nuneaton’s most celebrated writer, and this opportunity to enjoy her first novel, will turn many people on to the delights of reading.”
Alison McKellar, principal librarian for stock and reader development, said: “We are very grateful to the George Eliot Fellowship for making copies of Scenes of Clerical Life available to readers and reading groups in the county. Reading groups provide a wonderful way to continue to enjoy books and reading with like-minded people and we are committed to supporting them. We hope that Warwickshire’s reading groups enjoy this offer and hope that many readers across the county will discover the delights of George Eliot by the end of this anniversary year.”
Reading groups can pick up free copies of Scenes of Clerical Life at their local library. If you would like to form a reading group and receive a free copy of George Eliot’s first novel, call either John Burton on 024 7661 9126 or email him on jkburton@beeb.net or Alison McKellar at Warwickshire Libraries on 01926 412880.