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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
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
This book was an absolute pain to get through. The plot was basically non-existent - I estimate that 35 out of 207 pages were actually interesting to read about. It just lacked all the suspense and tension - I guess that wasn't what Eliot was looking for.
Of course, I'm not saying that it was written badly. The descriptions were beautifully done and the witty humour of Eliot really seeps through the pages. Sometimes, there would be a well-said, deep quote to comment on whatever was going on, but it didn't really relate. Maybe it's just me. Another problem I had was how frustrating all the characters were. Yes, I understand where Silas was coming from and I don't blame him for becoming closed off and a miser, but Godfrey. Godfrey and the rest of the Cass family got on my nerves so much. Godfrey was a pathetic coward with a hot temper, so I do wonder how Nancy loves him. Well, to be honest, I didn't like Nancy either - the beautiful, slightly bland girl. Dunstan was a terrible person - with absolute no reason to be! - so I'm glad of what happened to him. The only characters I actually liked was Priscilla, because I felt there was a lot of character development and personality to her. Much more than Nancy, anyway. Mrs Winthrop was nice as well, being one of the first people to reach out to Silas. Eppie as well - she was basically a breath of fresh air from the depressive mood of the book.
To be honest, this book is probably one of my most hated books I've ever read in my school Eng Lit classes. I'm sure it's probably a really good book, but to make a bunch of teenagers read it? Not a good idea.
Of course, I'm not saying that it was written badly. The descriptions were beautifully done and the witty humour of Eliot really seeps through the pages. Sometimes, there would be a well-said, deep quote to comment on whatever was going on, but it didn't really relate. Maybe it's just me. Another problem I had was how frustrating all the characters were. Yes, I understand where Silas was coming from and I don't blame him for becoming closed off and a miser, but Godfrey. Godfrey and the rest of the Cass family got on my nerves so much. Godfrey was a pathetic coward with a hot temper, so I do wonder how Nancy loves him. Well, to be honest, I didn't like Nancy either - the beautiful, slightly bland girl. Dunstan was a terrible person - with absolute no reason to be! - so I'm glad of what happened to him. The only characters I actually liked was Priscilla, because I felt there was a lot of character development and personality to her. Much more than Nancy, anyway. Mrs Winthrop was nice as well, being one of the first people to reach out to Silas. Eppie as well - she was basically a breath of fresh air from the depressive mood of the book.
To be honest, this book is probably one of my most hated books I've ever read in my school Eng Lit classes. I'm sure it's probably a really good book, but to make a bunch of teenagers read it? Not a good idea.
Loved the character development that Silas went through from the beginning to end of this story.
A classic morally imbibed novel. Silas Marner is an embodiment of the moral - "good things happen to good people". This novel also explores the societal predicaments and how situations leads to impressions.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
I usually do not take my take reading a book, but I did for Silas Marner and I’m so happy I did :))) there is SO much to sit with and unpack and analyze within every chapter, so it’s really the kind of book where I would think about what I just read for days before I picked it up again.
Ugh, the structure, the language, the small details that shaped the characters. It was all so beautiful!! This is a book I will love to reread and I already cannot wait until I do. What a wonderful story, what a wonderful (and well done) moral lesson: what even is redemption without community? I am weeping.
I’ll never forgive my sister for trying to talk to me while I was reading the last chapter. Never.
Ugh, the structure, the language, the small details that shaped the characters. It was all so beautiful!! This is a book I will love to reread and I already cannot wait until I do. What a wonderful story, what a wonderful (and well done) moral lesson: what even is redemption without community? I am weeping.
I’ll never forgive my sister for trying to talk to me while I was reading the last chapter. Never.
I enjoyed the second half more than the first. I felt some bits were quite boring because they were endless discussions about stuff I didn't really understand and didn't see the significance of why they were included. For example, before Silas goes to the Red House after he's found the child, there's a whole chapter of the men discussing and arguing about different topics like whether a vet is the same a doctor and I think those bits were hard to read because of the language (as well as the accents) and the topics I sometimes didn't understand.
I've not read anything else by George Eliot but I think this is a good introduction, partially because it's a lot shorter than Middlemarch
I've not read anything else by George Eliot but I think this is a good introduction, partially because it's a lot shorter than Middlemarch
This is one I might like better on a reread. I had a hard time following what was going on for the first several chapters and had to read the Cliffs Notes to help me out. And then even after I figured out what was going on I still followed along with the Cliffs Notes because it pointed out themes that I didn't pick up on. Bottom line: didn't love it, didn't hate it.
I truly do love this book. Yes, it can be slow, yes the plot isn’t fire breathing dragons. However, this is the sweestest book about what qualifies love, fatherhood, and friendship. Every relationship that seems impossible, happens and it happens beautifully. Every line that Mary Evans writes means something and is beautifully presented. I can’t get over this. I’ve read it twice and I’ll read it one hundred more times.