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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Daniel Deronda by George Eliot is a novel that came to my attention several years ago. Due to one reason or another, it has taken me ages to finally sit down and read it. Was it worth the wait? Well, it certainly wasn’t a waste of time. I can see why many consider this novel to be a classic and Eliot’s best work.
The Good:
Characters: Most of the characters are rather likable. It’s a bit rare in these kinds of novels to have a lot of nice people wandering around. While Gwendolen Harleth isn’t all together likable, she’s at least rather fascinating.
Plot: Jewish faith and culture play a large role in the novel, and it’s done respectfully. Actually, a lot of the plots- in Daniel Deronda’s side of things - are rather well done and interesting. They certainly kept my interest. Having only watched the 2002 miniseries before, it was lovely to dive deeper into the past of many of the characters. Suddenly Mirah and her brother had their own lives; the stuff with their father, Mirah’s sad past – it all came alive. I also rather enjoyed seeing Deronda’s inner thoughts in regard to his parentage and his growing love and understanding of the Jewish faith and culture. Even Hans and his lovely family came more alive on the page.
Writing Style: It doesn’t always read like a lot of novels from the same time period – and that’s a good thing. It feels like a mix of social satire (most of Gwendolen’s story) and of morals and people’s places in the world. People, who might not have been seen as sympathetic in other novels, are shown with a sympathetic and understanding eye.
The Meh:
Characters: I can understand why some people have said that Gwendolen Harleth is one of the most complicated and fascinating characters in Victorian literature. I can also understand how some can view her as a naïve, manipulative, selfish, satire of the “modern day heroine”. I’m sure people could (and have) written whole papers on Gwendolen Harleth. On a totally personal note: I found her to be selfish and manipulative and immature; however, I pitied her. Mostly because she kept making terrible choices and didn’t seem to grow until half-way into the story. Though, I suppose that is alright, considering that none of the other characters had much character growth either. And why couldn’t Daniel admit his feelings for Mirah (especially to himself) until after he found out he was a Jew? I get the times, but he had already met a person who had married outside their religion.
Plot: Many people say that the novel is two stories: one that deals with Gwen, her family, her marriage, and those around her; the other deals with Daniel’s parentage and the Jewish community of London, as well as the reunion of Mirah and her brother. It certainly felt that way to me. And I wonder if the novel couldn’t have been two companion novels, each standing on their own, with Daniel being the connection. I know some countries have just punished Daniel’s story.
The Bad:
Plot/Writing Style: While I enjoyed the overall plots and subplots (and they were all written wonderfully) I did think that at 710 pages the novel was a bit long. There were a few scenes that could have been shorter or cut all together.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel more than I thought I would. I give it a 3.3 out of 5 stars. More people should give Daniel Deronda a read.
The Good:
Characters: Most of the characters are rather likable. It’s a bit rare in these kinds of novels to have a lot of nice people wandering around. While Gwendolen Harleth isn’t all together likable, she’s at least rather fascinating.
Plot: Jewish faith and culture play a large role in the novel, and it’s done respectfully. Actually, a lot of the plots- in Daniel Deronda’s side of things - are rather well done and interesting. They certainly kept my interest. Having only watched the 2002 miniseries before, it was lovely to dive deeper into the past of many of the characters. Suddenly Mirah and her brother had their own lives; the stuff with their father, Mirah’s sad past – it all came alive. I also rather enjoyed seeing Deronda’s inner thoughts in regard to his parentage and his growing love and understanding of the Jewish faith and culture. Even Hans and his lovely family came more alive on the page.
Writing Style: It doesn’t always read like a lot of novels from the same time period – and that’s a good thing. It feels like a mix of social satire (most of Gwendolen’s story) and of morals and people’s places in the world. People, who might not have been seen as sympathetic in other novels, are shown with a sympathetic and understanding eye.
The Meh:
Characters: I can understand why some people have said that Gwendolen Harleth is one of the most complicated and fascinating characters in Victorian literature. I can also understand how some can view her as a naïve, manipulative, selfish, satire of the “modern day heroine”. I’m sure people could (and have) written whole papers on Gwendolen Harleth. On a totally personal note: I found her to be selfish and manipulative and immature; however, I pitied her. Mostly because she kept making terrible choices and didn’t seem to grow until half-way into the story. Though, I suppose that is alright, considering that none of the other characters had much character growth either. And why couldn’t Daniel admit his feelings for Mirah (especially to himself) until after he found out he was a Jew? I get the times, but he had already met a person who had married outside their religion.
Plot: Many people say that the novel is two stories: one that deals with Gwen, her family, her marriage, and those around her; the other deals with Daniel’s parentage and the Jewish community of London, as well as the reunion of Mirah and her brother. It certainly felt that way to me. And I wonder if the novel couldn’t have been two companion novels, each standing on their own, with Daniel being the connection. I know some countries have just punished Daniel’s story.
The Bad:
Plot/Writing Style: While I enjoyed the overall plots and subplots (and they were all written wonderfully) I did think that at 710 pages the novel was a bit long. There were a few scenes that could have been shorter or cut all together.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel more than I thought I would. I give it a 3.3 out of 5 stars. More people should give Daniel Deronda a read.
This was one of those books I was sorry to read in such a stressed time and in english (not my native language), as I feel that I missed some details that would made me love this reading even more, if that's possible since I feel I've already surrendered to this author.
We follow the destinies of Daniel Deronda and Gwendolen Harleth, who come to meet by chance in Leubronn, Germany, a place known by its gambling. Then we go back in time to see what lead both to that place. The first, brought up by Sir Hugo Mallinger without knowing his true origin, we know as having a tendency to help others without caring about himself. On the other hand, Gwendolen is presented as a spoiled girl, incapable of truly loving other people, with the exception of her mother. The meeting of these two souls will have an impact on both lives to the future, and we have the chance to follow them and see how their destinies intertwine.
This is a very descriptive book, namely in what concerns the characters, their inner fights and thoughts. I confess I didn't love the major characters; however their change, their growth is perceptible, especially when it comes to Gwendolen. But the same descriptive detail was put on the secondary characters and let me point out the strength of the female characters that, even facing adversity, do not give up and get to declare themselves against the role society had set for them. We even get to know a female character who confesses herself in love with the stage, that refuses her role as a mother for not having love to give as that love was given to the stage, to her career. In the 19th century, in the Victorian period, this must have been controversial, as must have happened with the strong Judaic theme of this novel.
This is a romance not to be taken lightly. It criticizes the society of the 19th century, namely the marriages by convenience, but it also thrives on the Judaic movement that at that time was getting some followers and demanded the existence of a Judaic state (the state of Israel) in the Palestine, which was granted in the 20th century, after the World War II, and where even today conflicts are part of the world news.
I recommend it. It's a phenomenal book and was sorry, as I said, of thinking that I didn't get everything it had to offer. There are many subtleties, characters nicely built and a coherent story, with a twist here and there, and very pleasant to follow. Without a doubt, a book to keep and re-read.
We follow the destinies of Daniel Deronda and Gwendolen Harleth, who come to meet by chance in Leubronn, Germany, a place known by its gambling. Then we go back in time to see what lead both to that place. The first, brought up by Sir Hugo Mallinger without knowing his true origin, we know as having a tendency to help others without caring about himself. On the other hand, Gwendolen is presented as a spoiled girl, incapable of truly loving other people, with the exception of her mother. The meeting of these two souls will have an impact on both lives to the future, and we have the chance to follow them and see how their destinies intertwine.
This is a very descriptive book, namely in what concerns the characters, their inner fights and thoughts. I confess I didn't love the major characters; however their change, their growth is perceptible, especially when it comes to Gwendolen. But the same descriptive detail was put on the secondary characters and let me point out the strength of the female characters that, even facing adversity, do not give up and get to declare themselves against the role society had set for them. We even get to know a female character who confesses herself in love with the stage, that refuses her role as a mother for not having love to give as that love was given to the stage, to her career. In the 19th century, in the Victorian period, this must have been controversial, as must have happened with the strong Judaic theme of this novel.
This is a romance not to be taken lightly. It criticizes the society of the 19th century, namely the marriages by convenience, but it also thrives on the Judaic movement that at that time was getting some followers and demanded the existence of a Judaic state (the state of Israel) in the Palestine, which was granted in the 20th century, after the World War II, and where even today conflicts are part of the world news.
I recommend it. It's a phenomenal book and was sorry, as I said, of thinking that I didn't get everything it had to offer. There are many subtleties, characters nicely built and a coherent story, with a twist here and there, and very pleasant to follow. Without a doubt, a book to keep and re-read.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
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
Such a difficult book to read, I could only read a few pages per day. The plot was interesting but very slow to develop. A beautiful ending, but most of the action is concentrated in a few chapters. Be patient when reading.
I spent over a month wading through this book, interrupting the effort at least once to read something for my book club.
For several reasons, I can’t recommend it for the general reader.
First, this is a very long book, about twice as long as it needs to be. It’s written for middle class or upper-class Victorians, who had way too much leisure time and were chiefly engaged in finding ways to fill up their empty hours.
[Rant warning: These were people who had somehow inherited an estate consisting of thousands of acres. And who did the work? Peasants, who toiled long days in the dirt and spent their sparse leisure time dulling their misery with beer and music.]
Second, a good part of that bulk consists of the long-winded interruptions of an omnipotent narrator. Some of Eliot’s observations are astutely tongue in cheek as when (page 379) she asks “what should we all do without the calendar when we want to put off a disagreeable duty? [The calendar] supplies us with the term before which it is hardly worthwhile to set about anything we are disinclined to.”
Third, although the excerpt above is potent, the always-verbose narrator is often impenetrable. See, for example, pages 364 through 365, which consist of ONE very long paragraph. I read the first several sentences, but could not get Eliot’s point at all.
Last criticism. Victorian England was breathtakingly anti-Semitic. This novel was recommended as a “sympathetic” portrayal of Jews.
Umm. Well, it avoids the most injurious of insults. But Eliot cannot understand that her characters can be both English and Jewish.
Final comment: one character, Mordecai, has tuberculosis, a respiratory disease spread by close contact. Eliot didn’t understand that, nor do her characters. Mordecai’s sister and brother in law hold his hands, lean close to hear his words, and engage in other behaviors that made me cringe. No wonder that “In 1801, up to one-third of all Londoners died from TB” (https://www.google.com/amp/s/theweek.com/articles-amp/692701/romance-tuberculosis).
For several reasons, I can’t recommend it for the general reader.
First, this is a very long book, about twice as long as it needs to be. It’s written for middle class or upper-class Victorians, who had way too much leisure time and were chiefly engaged in finding ways to fill up their empty hours.
[Rant warning: These were people who had somehow inherited an estate consisting of thousands of acres. And who did the work? Peasants, who toiled long days in the dirt and spent their sparse leisure time dulling their misery with beer and music.]
Second, a good part of that bulk consists of the long-winded interruptions of an omnipotent narrator. Some of Eliot’s observations are astutely tongue in cheek as when (page 379) she asks “what should we all do without the calendar when we want to put off a disagreeable duty? [The calendar] supplies us with the term before which it is hardly worthwhile to set about anything we are disinclined to.”
Third, although the excerpt above is potent, the always-verbose narrator is often impenetrable. See, for example, pages 364 through 365, which consist of ONE very long paragraph. I read the first several sentences, but could not get Eliot’s point at all.
Last criticism. Victorian England was breathtakingly anti-Semitic. This novel was recommended as a “sympathetic” portrayal of Jews.
Umm. Well, it avoids the most injurious of insults. But Eliot cannot understand that her characters can be both English and Jewish.
Final comment: one character, Mordecai, has tuberculosis, a respiratory disease spread by close contact. Eliot didn’t understand that, nor do her characters. Mordecai’s sister and brother in law hold his hands, lean close to hear his words, and engage in other behaviors that made me cringe. No wonder that “In 1801, up to one-third of all Londoners died from TB” (https://www.google.com/amp/s/theweek.com/articles-amp/692701/romance-tuberculosis).
FOREWARNING: Somewhat major plot spoilers, so please be aware if you haven't read the book. Thank you!
Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
Gwendolen Harleth, when she finds out that her family has lost their source of income, marries for money so she can support her family. But quickly, her marriage turns sour and sad. Before she was married, she met an interesting man named Daniel Deronda, who is thought to be the cousin of her future husband, although it's not entirely clear. Daniel himself does not know who his parents are, and his quest to find out the truth will lead to interesting discoveries. After her marriage, Gwendolen seeks advice from Daniel, as she is unhappy and torn. Daniel guides her with the best of his knowledge, but he too has his own struggles- after he saves a girl from drowning herself, he becomes involved in her life, and her own quest to find her brother and mother. Daniel becomes the friend of Mordecai, a Jew who is passionate about his faith, and soon what he learns from Mordecai will help him on his journey to find out the truth about his history...
My Thoughts:
I personally found the character of Daniel very interesting. He's so careful to not offend anyone with his words, so thoughtful considerate and he has this amazing inner world that finds beauty in the plain things. I don't approve of the 'married woman with a male person she talks to that is not her husband' bit, but I love how Daniel advised Gwendolen to look around at others, and despite her own suffering to reach out to others, to use her talents to make others happy, even if her own life is going wrong. To tell you the truth I wasn't expecting that.
Mirah's story I found too was personally more interesting then Gwendolen's, although I am not saying that I did not enjoy her side of things. As with most books where there is many different characters, their lives and personal plots weave together to create the overall book. You cannot separate them no matter how you try. I enjoyed reading how Gwendolen faced different situations and seeing how much she grew in the end. It was encouraging and left me with quite a bit of hope for her.
What I did not exactly like about it, however, was that Gwendolen came to depend upon Daniel in such a way that people automatically assumed she'd marry him when her husband died. I do not think it is very God honouring when a young lady marries older man whether by force or choice, marriage is unhappy, she finds confidante in young, unmarried man her age who falls in love with her, older husband dies somehow and he marries her, etc. (Although in this case he does not marry her). Granted, in this book, it's not as horrible as I first thought, but it is there, especially on Gwendolen's side of things. It started out as a simple her feeling he did not approve of her, and as such, she wants to know why. This leads into at the most four or five other encounters- most of the time he's advising her as to how to change, etc. It slips into something more for Gwendolen, though, and Deronda knows something is happening and doesn't like it, but feels that he should not abandon her as he's the only one that she has told that her marriage is going wrong. (Problem there, she should of told her mother, but perhaps she was thinking she didn't want to burden her Mother or make her uneasy as Mr. Grandcourt might not like it....) After Mr. Grandcourt's death, people begin to immediately presume she'll marry Deronda, which shows just how noticeable it was. Even Mr. Grandcourt was feeling something akin to jealousy. And so he should. He might of been a villain but he was the one she married. This is probably a natural portrayal of how it works in the world- it starts out with a meeting where you may genuinely have reasons for discussing something....and then it becomes where one or both parties have a dependence upon the other person that should only be on their spouse. I'm not sure what would happen in Gwendolen's situation, but I think it'd be safe to say she should of talked to her Mother, because I strongly believe it's never right to have a person of the opposite gender be the one you depend on when you're married unless he/she is a sibling/father, etc.
Thankfully the problems in Gwendolen's marriage, while it's still clear there is something wrong, are not shown in much detail and are mainly emotional....nothing as to what the mini-series apparently shows. I was quite glad of this.
All in all, I'd probably rate it 4 stars. I did honestly enjoy it, parts of the storyline where very intriguing and interesting. Throughout my reading of the book I kept up a discussion of it with my Mother, and that was helpful. I really didn't feel right even reading a book that possibly could of dealt with that, without her knowing. Besides, we talk about so much, it was only natural I'd want her ideas of Daniel Deronda.
Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
Gwendolen Harleth, when she finds out that her family has lost their source of income, marries for money so she can support her family. But quickly, her marriage turns sour and sad. Before she was married, she met an interesting man named Daniel Deronda, who is thought to be the cousin of her future husband, although it's not entirely clear. Daniel himself does not know who his parents are, and his quest to find out the truth will lead to interesting discoveries. After her marriage, Gwendolen seeks advice from Daniel, as she is unhappy and torn. Daniel guides her with the best of his knowledge, but he too has his own struggles- after he saves a girl from drowning herself, he becomes involved in her life, and her own quest to find her brother and mother. Daniel becomes the friend of Mordecai, a Jew who is passionate about his faith, and soon what he learns from Mordecai will help him on his journey to find out the truth about his history...
My Thoughts:
I personally found the character of Daniel very interesting. He's so careful to not offend anyone with his words, so thoughtful considerate and he has this amazing inner world that finds beauty in the plain things. I don't approve of the 'married woman with a male person she talks to that is not her husband' bit, but I love how Daniel advised Gwendolen to look around at others, and despite her own suffering to reach out to others, to use her talents to make others happy, even if her own life is going wrong. To tell you the truth I wasn't expecting that.
Mirah's story I found too was personally more interesting then Gwendolen's, although I am not saying that I did not enjoy her side of things. As with most books where there is many different characters, their lives and personal plots weave together to create the overall book. You cannot separate them no matter how you try. I enjoyed reading how Gwendolen faced different situations and seeing how much she grew in the end. It was encouraging and left me with quite a bit of hope for her.
What I did not exactly like about it, however, was that Gwendolen came to depend upon Daniel in such a way that people automatically assumed she'd marry him when her husband died. I do not think it is very God honouring when a young lady marries older man whether by force or choice, marriage is unhappy, she finds confidante in young, unmarried man her age who falls in love with her, older husband dies somehow and he marries her, etc. (Although in this case he does not marry her). Granted, in this book, it's not as horrible as I first thought, but it is there, especially on Gwendolen's side of things. It started out as a simple her feeling he did not approve of her, and as such, she wants to know why. This leads into at the most four or five other encounters- most of the time he's advising her as to how to change, etc. It slips into something more for Gwendolen, though, and Deronda knows something is happening and doesn't like it, but feels that he should not abandon her as he's the only one that she has told that her marriage is going wrong. (Problem there, she should of told her mother, but perhaps she was thinking she didn't want to burden her Mother or make her uneasy as Mr. Grandcourt might not like it....) After Mr. Grandcourt's death, people begin to immediately presume she'll marry Deronda, which shows just how noticeable it was. Even Mr. Grandcourt was feeling something akin to jealousy. And so he should. He might of been a villain but he was the one she married. This is probably a natural portrayal of how it works in the world- it starts out with a meeting where you may genuinely have reasons for discussing something....and then it becomes where one or both parties have a dependence upon the other person that should only be on their spouse. I'm not sure what would happen in Gwendolen's situation, but I think it'd be safe to say she should of talked to her Mother, because I strongly believe it's never right to have a person of the opposite gender be the one you depend on when you're married unless he/she is a sibling/father, etc.
Thankfully the problems in Gwendolen's marriage, while it's still clear there is something wrong, are not shown in much detail and are mainly emotional....nothing as to what the mini-series apparently shows. I was quite glad of this.
All in all, I'd probably rate it 4 stars. I did honestly enjoy it, parts of the storyline where very intriguing and interesting. Throughout my reading of the book I kept up a discussion of it with my Mother, and that was helpful. I really didn't feel right even reading a book that possibly could of dealt with that, without her knowing. Besides, we talk about so much, it was only natural I'd want her ideas of Daniel Deronda.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
So many complicated thoughts about this one. George Eliot is one of the most special writers of her time, no doubt. Her knack for stories that really represent the female experience in Victorian times is unmatched, and props to her for always writing the most tyrannical husbands and then killing them off mercilessly. Gwendolen is really an extraordinary character, her arc is amazing. I also love how real George Eliot is for not making Daniel end up with her, watching her rely on him while he only cared marginally was really heart wrenching and portrayed masterfully, rare for a novel of that time I think
On the other hand, Daniel’s plot felt a little icky, in this day and age. Don’t get me wrong; George Eliot’s willingness to champion a culture that was regarded with great prejudice with such empathy is really admirable, says a lot about her. But being quite ignorant myself, her depictions of Jewish culture in the Victorian era made me a little uncomfortable. Ultimately I realise it was all fine and really in good taste, but then came the realisation this was actually a proto-Zionist narrative, and then I was unease again. I’m glad this book was well received by the Jewish community, but the fact that it inspired a movement that now has ended up causing so much pain in the world is very sad. Wish the English would just mind their own business lol.
I didn’t mind the other elements of Daniel’s part of the story, he’s a good characters and Mordecai in particular is interesting. But there is a lack of cohesion between the two storylines. I wondered multiple times why the book was titles Daniel Deronda. He’s not the most interesting part of it. I don’t know, ultimately an uneven book, beautifully written but she made some real weird choices too.
On the other hand, Daniel’s plot felt a little icky, in this day and age. Don’t get me wrong; George Eliot’s willingness to champion a culture that was regarded with great prejudice with such empathy is really admirable, says a lot about her. But being quite ignorant myself, her depictions of Jewish culture in the Victorian era made me a little uncomfortable. Ultimately I realise it was all fine and really in good taste, but then came the realisation this was actually a proto-Zionist narrative, and then I was unease again. I’m glad this book was well received by the Jewish community, but the fact that it inspired a movement that now has ended up causing so much pain in the world is very sad. Wish the English would just mind their own business lol.
I didn’t mind the other elements of Daniel’s part of the story, he’s a good characters and Mordecai in particular is interesting. But there is a lack of cohesion between the two storylines. I wondered multiple times why the book was titles Daniel Deronda. He’s not the most interesting part of it. I don’t know, ultimately an uneven book, beautifully written but she made some real weird choices too.