Warwickshire Reading Groups to receive free copies of Eliot’s first novel
The George Eliot Fellowship, in partnership with Warwickshire County Council Libraries, are distributing via local libraries a free special 150th anniversary edition of ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’, George Eliot’s first published book, to all established reading groups in the county.
‘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”.
John Burton from the George Eliot Fellowship said: “Already several new groups have been formed to read ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’ and the Fellowship is delighted to be able to give them free copies of the book. We hope groups will try other novels by George Eliot or go on to read other authors.”
Louise Essex from Nuneaton Library said: “This is wonderful opportunity for local people to read stories by a world class author born in their own county, and many of the places featured in the book are still easily recognisable today.”
There will be a programme of events called ‘Scenes Revisited’ throughout the year.
If you are interested in setting up a reading group to read and discuss ‘Scenes of Clerical Life’, contact John Burton at jkburton@beeb.net or phone 024 7661 9126 for your free copies.
If you want more information on existing Reading Groups please contact your local library, or visit the library web pages at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/libraries.