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lewreviews's review against another edition
3.0
There are some absolutely beautiful passages here that contrast with witty sentiments and deep philosophical musings that make for a well-rounded novel. You'll get this long spiel on love that makes you swoon and sit in wonder, and then you'll find yourself laughing at the subsequent rejection of love that comes on the very next page. The minds of the characters are delicately juxtaposed to emphasise these moments, and it makes for a fulfilling read, but it's just LONG. The story just goes somewhere and right when you think it's over, nope there's another 100 pages. I think there's too much story here and Eliot possibly indulged herself with her first novel, but it's enjoyable nonetheless.
impla77's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
A compelling story, when not taking into account the title character and his love interest, who are the drippiest pair of drips to ever bore me to tears. Should've ended with Hetty's ending, as she was a relatively interesting character, but we have to go on with the half baked love affair of two Mary Sues that i would definitely not want to invite to a dinner party
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Child death, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexism
kiri_johnston's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
laculbute's review against another edition
4.0
i was totally unsure on this novel until the last book, and now i will probably sing eliot's praises until i die.
leafdmcg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
showell's review against another edition
3.0
I originally ranked this as a 4 star novel, because:
1) many many glorious sentences
2) ultimately a good story (and relatively rare to find a woman like Hetty treated as anything other than a one dimensional object in Victorian lit)
3) some very funny moments (I'm a sucker for snark)
4) George Eliot
But in the end, I cranked it down to three, because:
1) too much exposition, including a few too many odes to the English peasant
2) slow start
3) I find the character of Seth Bede to be fairly unbelievable.
Still, well worth reading.
1) many many glorious sentences
2) ultimately a good story (and relatively rare to find a woman like Hetty treated as anything other than a one dimensional object in Victorian lit)
3) some very funny moments (I'm a sucker for snark)
4) George Eliot
But in the end, I cranked it down to three, because:
1) too much exposition, including a few too many odes to the English peasant
2) slow start
3) I find the character of Seth Bede to be fairly unbelievable.
Still, well worth reading.
nnjack68's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The romantic ending made no sense. It just seemed like an afterthought. Dinah is a very poorly developed character.
bwood95's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5