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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
challenging
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, I think this book has so many flaws and not enough good things about it. I let this review sit for a while because I was so angry for having to go through 600 pages. This was just way too long, there were so many unnecessary things. The book and its characters had soo many problems and not in a way that made them more realistic. I can’t get over the fact how bad of a mother Lisbeth was. Adam is in no way the goody two shoes he is portrayed as. I get that different times, but you can’t be mad about someone ‘stealing’ your girl from you when you haven’t even told your girl that you like her. Also he never really stood up to his mother when she dragged Seth through the mood. *vague spoiler* the whole fucking thing with Dinah makes him one of the biggest assholes alive. I feel like Arthur lacks any depth to be really of any importance at all, honestly Mr. Irwine is more interesting and he is a side character! Hetty could have been portrayed so much more deeper and yet while her story arch is so much more complex she is just the vain little girl. Also the narrating voice was just insufferable!
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Action is concentrated towards the end, the book mostly explores dynamics and power relations between characters and there are several long descriptions that do take time to get through but are absolutely worth it, other action in the earlier parts is hinted at rather than explicitly discussed.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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:
Yes
I didn't understand that Hetty was pregnant until it was absolutely spelled out. Adam and Seth are impossibly one-dimensional. Nevertheless it's a good tale, and the author's descriptions and inclusive style (drawing the reader in) are engaging. I enjoyed it very much but feel it has some major flaws for today's reader. I imagine it was quite shocking and taboo-breaking when first published.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
After what felt like five weeks and was closer to three, during which time I told every friend I have that I was very bored and having a good time, I finally finished Adam Bede! I both think it was really good and actually just kind of fine. I don't think much space is wasted, actually, but the story and its cudgel of consequences didn't always feel...worthy of 500 pages? There are so many moments of insight and beauty, redemption and consequence are both discussed with nuance even though the plot emphasizes them with less nuance, the characters and setting are lovingly and well painted, and once it gets going, there are twists the likes of which I've never had such pleasure in describing to my friends, but I think Adam Bede, overall, didn't leave much of an impression on me. I have a lot of thoughts about it! But not a lot of feelings, and that's a bummer. I'm a little bummed! At its core a sympathetic story of some kind of interesting gossip that happens in the next town over, you know? To both its detriment and praise.