Nice to see you again, Middlemarchers. Congratulations on reaching the end of Book 2: Old and Young! I’m putting in some broad discussion points this week. This is also an opportunity to catch up. Discussion of anything up to the end of Book 2 is allowed. Please be mindful and don’t post spoilers if you’re reading ahead. Next week we’ll be back with the start of Book 3! Until then, have fun!

• This book was subtitled Old and Young. What do you take from this? Not just in the characters, but also things like setting and themes?
• Who's your favorite character so far? Least favorite? What about the side characters - have you developed any affinity for them? I really like Mary Garth.
• What do you think is going to happen next? Have you been surprised by anything? Or, like Lydgate, have you "made up your mind to take Middlemarch as it comes"? Finding out about Lydgate's background in Paris was a surprise.
• Any favorite quotations so far?