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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
This is a beautiful tale of the remdemptive power of the love of a child. Silas Marner is transformed by the power of the innocence and unconditional love that he recieves from the baby that finds itself all of a sudden in his care.
When you know the story of George Elliot - that she lived with a married man (who couldn't divorce his wife) for 20 something years and never concieved a child - this book just becomes all the more poignant. Her comments on organised religion also seem very personal too, as I'm sure her and her partner were looked down upon by most sectors of society, especially religious ones.
When you know the story of George Elliot - that she lived with a married man (who couldn't divorce his wife) for 20 something years and never concieved a child - this book just becomes all the more poignant. Her comments on organised religion also seem very personal too, as I'm sure her and her partner were looked down upon by most sectors of society, especially religious ones.
Took a while to get me hooked. But im enjoying it so much that I was wondering if there is a movie. Turns out Steve Martin adapted it for modern day in A Simple Twist of Fate. So, we have to see that!
There are so many quotes from this book that I enjoyed, but here’s one standout
There are so many quotes from this book that I enjoyed, but here’s one standout
But you do as you like with me -- you always did, from when first you begun to walk. If you wanted to go the field's length, the field's length you'd go; and there was no whipping you, for you looked as prim and innicent as a daisy all the while.
That's my daughter. Prim and innocent. There's no whipping her.
UPDATE - I suppose there ought to be some whipping. My wife just texted me
She has a bad attitude. She's become a little tyrant.
'A man falling into dark waters seeks a momentary footing even on sliding stones.'
I cannot express how eager I was to finish this book once I found out there was a Wishbone episode for it. Might be my new reading strategy.
Also this is lowkey gonna be a Christmas fave now
Also this is lowkey gonna be a Christmas fave now
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
A good book for those who want an accessible classic novel. At 220 pgs, it is rather brief and the story is excellent, complete with an unexpected turn. The language is definitely 1800s with words that were at times completely unfamiliar. If you can keep pressing on, you'll find a great story.
George Eliot is really Mary Ann Evans, who wrote under a man's name when it was the only way to get published. She is one author I wanted to explore.
The basics of the plot: good young man is framed for murder, he leaves his home town and sets up as a weaver in a remote location where in his depression he hoards all gold that comes his way. He is a confirmed recluse when he is robbed by one of the gentry and becomes more depressed. Then a toddler with golden hair is found in front of his fire and brings him to life again. Not until she turns 18 do we find out the truth behind these events.
George Eliot is really Mary Ann Evans, who wrote under a man's name when it was the only way to get published. She is one author I wanted to explore.
The basics of the plot: good young man is framed for murder, he leaves his home town and sets up as a weaver in a remote location where in his depression he hoards all gold that comes his way. He is a confirmed recluse when he is robbed by one of the gentry and becomes more depressed. Then a toddler with golden hair is found in front of his fire and brings him to life again. Not until she turns 18 do we find out the truth behind these events.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Gaslighting, Classism
Minor: Racism, Alcohol
Read this one in high school and loved it; now rereading over audio book. We shall see!
Oh, this stood up really well! Pretty simple and moralistic but also quite beautiful and funny as only the Victorians were. If you've read Middlemarch you can see certain hints of where Eliot was headed in this book, written 10 years earlier. But honestly, Silas Marner reminds me mostly of Heidi by Johanna Spyri, another book about a wretched, lonely old man being brought back to life--and religion--by a beautiful little child. Both are achingly sweet, very Christian stories, but you can't help but be swept up in wanting everything to work out all right for everybody.
Oh, this stood up really well! Pretty simple and moralistic but also quite beautiful and funny as only the Victorians were. If you've read Middlemarch you can see certain hints of where Eliot was headed in this book, written 10 years earlier. But honestly, Silas Marner reminds me mostly of Heidi by Johanna Spyri, another book about a wretched, lonely old man being brought back to life--and religion--by a beautiful little child. Both are achingly sweet, very Christian stories, but you can't help but be swept up in wanting everything to work out all right for everybody.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
While this book is moderately preachy, the writing is lyrical and pretty. Silas Marner just can't catch a break! This story follows his misfortunes as they keep coming. The side characters all play a role, and thankfully the ending concludes happily. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes very British stories.
Five stars if it wasn't so damned preachy at times.