Adam Bede, the first novel written by George Eliot (the pen name of Mary Ann Evans), was published in 1859. It was published pseudonymously, even though Evans was a well-published and highly respected scholar of her time. The novel has remained in print ever since, and is used in university studies of 19th century English literature. The plot is founded on a story told to George Eliot by her aunt Elizabeth Evans, a Methodist preacher, and the original of Dinah Morris of the novel, of a confession of child-murder, made to her by a girl in prison. (Wikipedia) «"Адама Бида" по праву считают одним из лучших пасторальных романов в английской литературе. Описывая сельскую Англию, Элиот не впадает в слащавую патетику, но рассказывает о ней честно, правдиво, со знанием дела и пониманием, продолжая вордсвортовскую традицию воспевания быта английской деревни». (И.И. Бурова, в кн. Сидорченко Л.В. и др. — История западноевропейской литературы XIX век Англия. Спб, 2004.)