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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A heart-wrenching story with the happiest of endings. The power of having children, whether by blood or adoption is explored in Silas Marner to prove one’s debts are to those who raise them, not those who birthed them. What a beautiful story.
Had to read 'Silas Marner' in high school. Read it again at age 24, shortly after watching a PBS production of it starring Ben Kinglsey... loved the book then, and here at age 51 had decided to read it again. I think that a better appreciation of the content, the subject, and the denizens of Raveloe has come with the age and experience of life, being a parent, and expanded view of society.
Read Eliot's 'Adam Bede' a couple years ago, and am now keen on 'Middlemarch' and 'Daniel Deronda'.
Read Eliot's 'Adam Bede' a couple years ago, and am now keen on 'Middlemarch' and 'Daniel Deronda'.
This was all right, and surprisingly, it has a happy ending! Yet it did drag a bit in parts, which is saying something because it's not actually that long a book. I see a lot of other editions where there's the old man and the little girl, Eppie, on the front cover, making much of that story - and it is one of the best bits - but she doesn't rock up until two thirds into the story.
It's not all about Silas either and he's absent for several chapters. It's about him and the biological family of the little girl, I guess, although you don't realise this for a long time. Silas is a weaver, who left his home town when falsely accused of stealing chapel money (his best friend did it and ran off with his fiance as well). So he's a bit bitter, keeps himself to himself and works at his loom seven days a week. He makes a lot of money, which he doesn't spend, but instead the joy of looking at all those golden coins is enough for him.
In his new town, Raveloe, at the posher end, there's the squire and his good for nothing sons. There's Godfrey with a secret wife and child that he denies - because he sees himself as the victim in all of this - who live in rags and the mother is an opium addict. They end up struggling to Raveloe and his wife dies in a hedge in the snow. His brother, Dunsey, is even worse, and ends up stealing all of Silas Marner's money and trotting off into the night, not to be heard of for 16 years. Whilst the mother dies, the toddler gets up and away to a warm open door - turns out to be Silas's cottage, and curls up by the fire. Silas takes this as an omen as such, out the door went his money and in came a toddler, whom he takes as his own daughter and raises. It's only when she's 18 that Godfrey decides to come clean and goes to offer her his home and parentage (because he and his wife don't have kids) - after having let her live in rags and possible death, then letting Silas raise her, he seems to think he's marvellous and of course she'll go skipping home with him. And I wonder if he would have been interested had he and his wife had children? Nope, don't rate the rich folks in this story.
It's a nice story, short, happy end (don't think that happens a lot with Eliot) and yet it didn't really grab me. Perhaps because it was so short she never managed to really get into any of the story lines?
It's not all about Silas either and he's absent for several chapters. It's about him and the biological family of the little girl, I guess, although you don't realise this for a long time. Silas is a weaver, who left his home town when falsely accused of stealing chapel money (his best friend did it and ran off with his fiance as well). So he's a bit bitter, keeps himself to himself and works at his loom seven days a week. He makes a lot of money, which he doesn't spend, but instead the joy of looking at all those golden coins is enough for him.
In his new town, Raveloe, at the posher end, there's the squire and his good for nothing sons. There's Godfrey with a secret wife and child that he denies - because he sees himself as the victim in all of this - who live in rags and the mother is an opium addict. They end up struggling to Raveloe and his wife dies in a hedge in the snow. His brother, Dunsey, is even worse, and ends up stealing all of Silas Marner's money and trotting off into the night, not to be heard of for 16 years. Whilst the mother dies, the toddler gets up and away to a warm open door - turns out to be Silas's cottage, and curls up by the fire. Silas takes this as an omen as such, out the door went his money and in came a toddler, whom he takes as his own daughter and raises. It's only when she's 18 that Godfrey decides to come clean and goes to offer her his home and parentage (because he and his wife don't have kids) - after having let her live in rags and possible death, then letting Silas raise her, he seems to think he's marvellous and of course she'll go skipping home with him. And I wonder if he would have been interested had he and his wife had children? Nope, don't rate the rich folks in this story.
It's a nice story, short, happy end (don't think that happens a lot with Eliot) and yet it didn't really grab me. Perhaps because it was so short she never managed to really get into any of the story lines?
Somewhere amongst the dated writing style and old school language was a very cool story. Although the pace was tedious for me I'm glad I stuck with it. The theme and moral of the story is timeless and thought provoking. I cannot imagine this book being read by the average high schooler as it is recquired in some schools. I'm glad it wasn't recquired for me, perhaps I wouldn't have become a reader.
Diving into Silas Marner by George Eliot has been a thoroughly enriching experience for me, especially as this is my first novel by this esteemed author. Initially, I approached the book with some trepidation, influenced by the common perception that classics tend to be dense and uninviting. However, Silas Marner quickly dispelled this notion, proving itself to be an engaging and accessible read.
What struck me immediately was how modern the prose felt. Eliot's writing is remarkably clear and often quite funny, with a wit that resonates well with contemporary readers. This unexpected humor adds a delightful layer to the narrative, making it far more enjoyable than the stereotypical image of a dry, old classic.
The story itself is a touching exploration of chosen family. Silas Marner, a reclusive weaver wronged by his community, finds redemption and joy through his adoption of the orphaned Eppie. Their relationship is beautifully depicted, offering a poignant look at how love and kinship can transform lives. The themes of forgiveness, community, and personal growth are timeless, making the novel's emotional impact enduring.
Eliot’s portrayal of her characters is strikingly realistic. Unlike some other classics where characters can feel more like archetypes than real people, the inhabitants of Raveloe are vividly drawn with all their flaws, virtues, and idiosyncrasies. This authenticity is particularly evident in her depiction of the rural poor. Eliot set out to write about the "real poor," and she succeeded admirably. Her characters are not romanticized or condescended to; instead, they are portrayed with dignity and depth, reflecting the true complexity of human nature.
Overall, Silas Marner has been a revelation. It combines humor, pathos, and social commentary in a narrative that feels surprisingly modern and real. For anyone hesitant about diving into classic literature, this novel is an excellent starting point. It disproves the theory that classics are inevitably boring and dense, offering instead a richly rewarding reading experience that is both moving and profoundly human. George Eliot’s skill in capturing the essence of ordinary lives with such empathy and precision makes this a novel that will stay with me for a long time.
What struck me immediately was how modern the prose felt. Eliot's writing is remarkably clear and often quite funny, with a wit that resonates well with contemporary readers. This unexpected humor adds a delightful layer to the narrative, making it far more enjoyable than the stereotypical image of a dry, old classic.
The story itself is a touching exploration of chosen family. Silas Marner, a reclusive weaver wronged by his community, finds redemption and joy through his adoption of the orphaned Eppie. Their relationship is beautifully depicted, offering a poignant look at how love and kinship can transform lives. The themes of forgiveness, community, and personal growth are timeless, making the novel's emotional impact enduring.
Eliot’s portrayal of her characters is strikingly realistic. Unlike some other classics where characters can feel more like archetypes than real people, the inhabitants of Raveloe are vividly drawn with all their flaws, virtues, and idiosyncrasies. This authenticity is particularly evident in her depiction of the rural poor. Eliot set out to write about the "real poor," and she succeeded admirably. Her characters are not romanticized or condescended to; instead, they are portrayed with dignity and depth, reflecting the true complexity of human nature.
Overall, Silas Marner has been a revelation. It combines humor, pathos, and social commentary in a narrative that feels surprisingly modern and real. For anyone hesitant about diving into classic literature, this novel is an excellent starting point. It disproves the theory that classics are inevitably boring and dense, offering instead a richly rewarding reading experience that is both moving and profoundly human. George Eliot’s skill in capturing the essence of ordinary lives with such empathy and precision makes this a novel that will stay with me for a long time.
George Eliot is a keen observer of human behavior. She is more than a little tongue-in-cheek when describing the hypocrisies of human behavior. This novel is no Middlemarch or Mill on the Floss--it's shorter and the themes are less expansive-- but it is a nice story with social observations well worth considering.
Not really children's literature, but I read it on a child's level because it was the first adult book I read. The image of the old man with the little blond girl still sticks out in my mind. Only know do I realize that it was written by George Elliot..
This book took two tries to get into. I couldn't finish it the 1st time. I really liked it when I tried again.