George Eliot's first full-length novel goes deep into the dark recesses of human nature and sets forth a coherent philosphy of conduct and inexorable retribution for wrongdoing. Set in the countryside of the English Midlands at the beginning of the 19th century, the book relates a passionate story of seduction, crime, remorse and suffering, but is also enlivened by the humorous rustic aphorist, Mrs Poyser, and the inspirational preacher, Dinah Morris. George Eliot drew heavily on her own intimate knowledge of country life in the writing of Adam Bede and many of the characters are based on peaople she knew ad loved.