Romola - George Eliot

Eliot is usually associated with tales of rural England, Victorian settings or a little before then, and minor figures of little significance. 'Romola' is a very different book - set in 15th century Italy, and featuring historical characters. The Plot (of which there's a lot.) Romola is the only child of an old man. He has money and a passion for learning. He takes on a young man called Tito, who then marries Romola. Tito then becomes politically active, Romola rapidly falls out of love with him - he msitreats her father and her father's property. Through contact with Savonorola - a religious figure, she is induced to stay. Tito has two children ...  Read the complete review