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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
reflective
sad
medium-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
George Elliot's first full-length novel, though written in the Victorian era, was set at the turn of the 18th century (1799-1807). It is set in a country/pastoral setting, pre-industrial revolution, when the society was mostly agricultural and feudal.
We meet Adam Bede, a hard-working, decent guy who is well respected. He is in love with Hetty Sorrel, a vain, selfish orphan who lives with her aunt and uncle. Adams brother, Seth is in love with Dinah, who is hetty's cousin and also a methodist preacher. We also have Captain Donnithorne, who is heir to the local squire, a decent enough guy, well liked with lots of plans for future improvements, but he has his eye on Hetty. Sounds confusing, but it isn't. The story is basically around these characters.
It has themes around inner and outer beauty, the benefits of hard work, consequences of our actions on ourselves and others, and also the rise of the methodist religion as some people move away from the traditional church of England.
Elliot's writing is beautiful. She so clearly describes the characters and the setting that you feel that you can actually visualise them/it. I loved all the main characters and many of the secondary characters. They were well set out, decent people, but all had their flaws. Dinah's preaching got on my nerves a bit, but she was a wonderful character who completely believed what she preached and practised it.
Elliot does tend to frequently break off the story to talk to the reader, which can be a bit much at times, especially when she has a whole chapter of exposition. I'm not sure I really liked the ending and didn't find it particularly believable, but that's only my opinion.
On the whole, a very good book and I would recommend it.
We meet Adam Bede, a hard-working, decent guy who is well respected. He is in love with Hetty Sorrel, a vain, selfish orphan who lives with her aunt and uncle. Adams brother, Seth is in love with Dinah, who is hetty's cousin and also a methodist preacher. We also have Captain Donnithorne, who is heir to the local squire, a decent enough guy, well liked with lots of plans for future improvements, but he has his eye on Hetty. Sounds confusing, but it isn't. The story is basically around these characters.
It has themes around inner and outer beauty, the benefits of hard work, consequences of our actions on ourselves and others, and also the rise of the methodist religion as some people move away from the traditional church of England.
Elliot's writing is beautiful. She so clearly describes the characters and the setting that you feel that you can actually visualise them/it. I loved all the main characters and many of the secondary characters. They were well set out, decent people, but all had their flaws. Dinah's preaching got on my nerves a bit, but she was a wonderful character who completely believed what she preached and practised it.
Elliot does tend to frequently break off the story to talk to the reader, which can be a bit much at times, especially when she has a whole chapter of exposition. I'm not sure I really liked the ending and didn't find it particularly believable, but that's only my opinion.
On the whole, a very good book and I would recommend it.
I thought I would revisit this after doing it for A Level a good number of years ago. I found it riveting and cinematic in its observations and colourings. However I do find her author to reader comments irritating. Dinah's moralising struck me as profoundly loving and gentle first time round, this time I approached her with slightly more cynicism but still found her warm and genuine. The other characters are drawn with empathy and humour although some are still too one dimensional. A good read nevertheless.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
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