[Bookpossum]

I have now finished Book 3. Are others ready to discuss the first three books at this stage?

Even though I cannot like Gwendolen, I do feel sorry for her, and for so many other women of that time for whom marriage to someone as repellant as Grandcourt was the only way out of a life of misery and drudgery.

Of course there were vast numbers of people whose situation was hopeless from the beginning of their lives, and for whom there was no way out other than death. The agricultural labourers, the servants, the workers in the factories of the Industrial Revolution were the support base for the Grandcourts and the Mallingers of those times.

We do not see them: the nearest we get to them, at least so far, is the family to whom Daniel Deronda takes Mirah after he rescues her. That family of women makes an interesting contrast with Gwendolen's family of her mother and half-sisters.

Deronda's situation is intriguing: he has been brought up by Sir Hugo as a gentleman, well-educated, and yet uncertain of his birth and status. His kindness and decency are in stark contrast to the character of Grandcourt.

I hate to think how nasty things might get for Gwendolen once she is married to Grandcourt.