Parallel Lives Five Victorian Marriages

“Parallel Lives: Five Victorian Marriages” by Phyllis Rose, published by Daunt Books on March 19, 2020, offers an insightful examination of five notable Victorian marriages. This 360-page work delves into the complexities of these relationships, raising questions about the politics of sex and societal expectations surrounding marriage during the Victorian era.

In this exploration, Rose probes inherited myths and assumptions, providing a nuanced perspective on each couple’s dynamics. The book discusses the unconsummated marriage of John Ruskin and Effie Gray, the chaste unions of Thomas Carlyle and Jane Welsh, and John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor, alongside the dramatic decline of the Dickens marriage. Additionally, it highlights the relationship between George Eliot and G.H. Lewes, which defied societal norms and is presented as the most fulfilling of the five. Through these narratives, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the personal and societal challenges faced by these historical figures.