The Lifted Veil

Wow... This book had me saying wow early on, and perhaps this was the first sign that I was in the presence of significant literature. Basically, George Eliot (literature buffs know this is Mary Anne Evans) strikes you in 'The Lifted Veil' immediately with a somber punch worthy of Edgar Allen Poe, followed by drama, romance, and a hint of the mystic. The tone remains constant in it's dark mood, but this did little to dampen my enthusiasm as a reader. Already this book has climbed into my top 20 short stories involving romance. I really would hate to spoil your reading of this great tale with spoilers, but suffice it to say the allusion of the title is referring to the marital veil primarily, and not the veil of death, although that could be also intended on a lesser note. So, basically, I would consider this a great read for anyone ever contemplating marriage, as a cautionary tale. It really does have some good insight into that, as well as the 'pecking order' of family relationships. Overall, a period romance with a very personal, very somber, slightly mystic and very male feel to it, which distinguishes it greatly. Highly recommended.