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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I struggled so hard to follow this but it just wasn't happening. I relent.
Honestly, my main take away was that the Black Country accents often inexcusably become unintelligible South African accents. Why.
Honestly, my main take away was that the Black Country accents often inexcusably become unintelligible South African accents. Why.
Such a gentle, heartwarming story of a miserly weaver's transformation. Though it doesn't carry the same scope of Middlemarch it is a wonderful classic and underrated Eliot novel.
I was a little bit hesitant to pick this book up, because I have heard that Eliot's writing style is a bit dense, but after reading "The lifted Veil" and enjoyed it, I decided to give this a try, and I was very surprised with this story, it really captured my attention. It is a tale with a dark and gloomy start when Silas is betrayed by a friend turning his life upside down, having to isolate himself from society and being the object of speculation and despise, but everything changes when Silas found someone that gives him hope and reminds him that he deserves love and happiness. A really moving story, that convinced me to pick up some of George Eliot's longer books in the near future.
This book was one of my favorite classics as a teen. I was somewhat reluctant to read it again since I recently reread one of my other classic favorites ("Emma") and was disappointed that it did not hold up to my memory. Luckily, this one was still just as simple, sweet and charming as I remembered it.
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
Was listening to this book. Maybe better read on the page. I found confusing
I've been going through the classics lately and don't have much good to say from them. This is the first so far that I can say that I liked. I think it's my modern perspective looking at it to think this, but I think it could have been much shorter. The first half, at least, of the book seemed to be too drawn out and didn't seem to connect things till much later in the story. I see all the connections now but I don't see that it was needed to put so much detail in it. I also like the fact that Eppie didn't want to have money. Most of the characters I have run into so far in older books, namely (and clichely) Pride and Prejudice, have wanted almost nothing but money and material wealth. But Eppie loved Silas and her way of life and didn't want to change. That made me appreciate the book much more.
"If there is an angel who records the sorrows of men as well as their sins, he knows how many and deep are the sorrows that spring from false ideas for which no man is culpable."
A man betrayed by his best friend by means of the church and then in turn the love, at the time, of his life, leaves the only town he has known to try to forget his past. He lands in Raveloe (maybe a coincidence that his occupation is weaving, and his world have quite literally unRaveloed?!). Having lost his trust in man and in God, he now trusts only his weaving and in his gold. After some years of acquiring piles of gold, it too is stolen from him. He has lost everything, even his one possession, a water pot, fell and broke and having nothing left to lose, he leaves the door to his cabin to let the world take him. In toddles a two year old child that will transform his life into something meaningful, filled with love and contentment. Mending his very broken life into a new, more richly beautiful one than he ever hoped for or imagined.
I was surprised by how good this little novel was. How well George Eliot was able to sketch the characters, and how well she understands the nuances of human character and what comes forth in a life with virtue being tried and too, what comes forth when a life is left wanting.
Other quotes:
"In old days there were angels who came and took men by the hand and led them away from the city of destruction. We see no white-winged angels now. But yet men are led away from threatening destruction: a hand is put into theirs, which leads them forth gently towards a calm and bright land, so that they look no more backward; and the hand may be a little child's."
"'And so, I'm for holding with both sides; for, as I say, the truth lies between 'em.'"
"Nancy laid down her bonnet and shawl, and stood on the hearth near her husband, unwilling to leave him even for a few minutes, and yet fearing to utter any word lest it might jar on his feeling. At last Godfrey turned his head towards her, and their eyes met, dwelling in that meeting without any movement on either side. That quiet mutual gaze of a trusting husband and wife is like the first moment of rest or refuge from a great weariness or a great danger -- not to be interfered with by speech or action which would distract the sensations from the fresh enjoyment of repose."
A man betrayed by his best friend by means of the church and then in turn the love, at the time, of his life, leaves the only town he has known to try to forget his past. He lands in Raveloe (maybe a coincidence that his occupation is weaving, and his world have quite literally unRaveloed?!). Having lost his trust in man and in God, he now trusts only his weaving and in his gold. After some years of acquiring piles of gold, it too is stolen from him. He has lost everything, even his one possession, a water pot, fell and broke and having nothing left to lose, he leaves the door to his cabin to let the world take him. In toddles a two year old child that will transform his life into something meaningful, filled with love and contentment. Mending his very broken life into a new, more richly beautiful one than he ever hoped for or imagined.
I was surprised by how good this little novel was. How well George Eliot was able to sketch the characters, and how well she understands the nuances of human character and what comes forth in a life with virtue being tried and too, what comes forth when a life is left wanting.
Other quotes:
"In old days there were angels who came and took men by the hand and led them away from the city of destruction. We see no white-winged angels now. But yet men are led away from threatening destruction: a hand is put into theirs, which leads them forth gently towards a calm and bright land, so that they look no more backward; and the hand may be a little child's."
"'And so, I'm for holding with both sides; for, as I say, the truth lies between 'em.'"
"Nancy laid down her bonnet and shawl, and stood on the hearth near her husband, unwilling to leave him even for a few minutes, and yet fearing to utter any word lest it might jar on his feeling. At last Godfrey turned his head towards her, and their eyes met, dwelling in that meeting without any movement on either side. That quiet mutual gaze of a trusting husband and wife is like the first moment of rest or refuge from a great weariness or a great danger -- not to be interfered with by speech or action which would distract the sensations from the fresh enjoyment of repose."
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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