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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
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.
Well worth a read. In today's market, I doubt the book would ever have been noticed, there's no murder or sexual affairs. But the book remains a delightful gem.
emotional
hopeful
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:
N/A
Yes I understand that 19th century pastoralism is an agent of the British nationalist project. Yes I understand that Eliot is preaching at the reader Good Protestant Ethics that would cause nausea in me coming from anyone today. Nevertheless. This was so fun I really loved it going into my top 25 all time (barring another Eliot surpassing it) I was gawking and gasping all up and down this book.
For whatever reason this Victorian era style of writing just really fits in my brain well - dickens and gaskell and obvi the pastiche in Jonathan strange also do this for me despite generally being someone who has to work to grasp older styles of writing
For whatever reason this Victorian era style of writing just really fits in my brain well - dickens and gaskell and obvi the pastiche in Jonathan strange also do this for me despite generally being someone who has to work to grasp older styles of writing
Silas Marner, outcast, lives a life for money. When his money is stolen, he finds himself adrift. Later he finds a young child on his hearth, and devotes his life to the toddler instead. Slow. Characters that seem to play a big part are thrown out only to be mentioned in passing. It's been done better.