Felix Holt, The Radical

Published in 1866, 'Felix Holt, The Radical' by George Eliot explores the political and social issues surrounding the 1832 parliamentary election in England. The novel follows Harold Transome, a landowner who defies his family's political legacy, and Felix Holt, a committed radical. A subplot involves Esther Lyon, the true heiress to the Transome estate, who is torn between her love for the impoverished Felix and the secure life offered by Harold. The book is notable for its in-depth examination of radical politics and social reform during a pivotal time in British history.