You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by kleonora
Silas Marner by George Eliot
3.0
Verdict: A simple story with deep truths. As crafted and comforting a classic as ever there was.
‘Silas Marner’ has, since I can remember, been present at the edge of my literary consciousness as a ‘classic’. Due to a persistent misreading of the title I had assumed it was something to do with a sailor and carried on unfussed in my ignorance until this year. One of the many edifying effects of my 1000 book mission is that it fills in those ‘classic book’ holes in my repertoire which I have generally not bothered with since leaving high school. There have been high points (Wuthering Heights) and low points (Robinson Crusoe) and solidly centre stands ‘Silas Marner’
‘Silas Marner’ is about a man named Silas who is not a sailor (or mariner, if you will) but is, in fact, a linen weaver. He was not always sad and alone. Once he was a fervent member of a sort of reformation/cult community but then his best friend framed him for robbery and stole his fiancé. Such events would, understandably, shake one’s faith in God and man and they did. Silas, banished, moved to another town, kept himself to himself, and fetishistically hoarded the money he was paid to weave linen.
There are other people in the town and they think he is weird, but then they have their own problems. Specifically brothers Dunstan and Godfrey Cass, sons of the richest guy (farmer? Landowner? I forget) in the village, have problems that will come to pertain particularly to Silas. They are both rather spoiled and ass-y but Godfrey at least feels some shame on this point – a factor which comeuppance will later take into account. The fate of the three intertwine on a cold winter’s night. I’ll leave the mechanics of the transaction to Eliot, but the end result is Silas losing his gold and gaining an orphaned baby girl. Your feelings on the value of such a swap may vary but it cannot be disputed that it works for Silas. What follows is a redemptive story culminating in a deeply satisfying distribution of heavenly justice.
What can I say but this is solid literature right here. It is not shocking or upsetting or gripping or tragic which makes it all the more noteworthy. It is as simple as life which is to say not at all. Within the easy narrative there are themes of creeping industrialization, of the role of class and of the place of religion. These big topics are assimilated seamlessly into the story of Silas and Eppie and it gives ‘Silas Marner’ the feel of a parable; a simple story reflecting a deeper truth. It is an engaging and comforting book with a story so well joined it is hard to remember it was crafted by human hand.
‘Silas Marner’ is an easy three. A lovely book, but just not one I’m capable of getting excited about. You should read it, though, if you haven’t already. On a day when it rains and you’re feeling a bit down about humans in general. I’ll be doing the same.
‘Silas Marner’ has, since I can remember, been present at the edge of my literary consciousness as a ‘classic’. Due to a persistent misreading of the title I had assumed it was something to do with a sailor and carried on unfussed in my ignorance until this year. One of the many edifying effects of my 1000 book mission is that it fills in those ‘classic book’ holes in my repertoire which I have generally not bothered with since leaving high school. There have been high points (Wuthering Heights) and low points (Robinson Crusoe) and solidly centre stands ‘Silas Marner’
‘Silas Marner’ is about a man named Silas who is not a sailor (or mariner, if you will) but is, in fact, a linen weaver. He was not always sad and alone. Once he was a fervent member of a sort of reformation/cult community but then his best friend framed him for robbery and stole his fiancé. Such events would, understandably, shake one’s faith in God and man and they did. Silas, banished, moved to another town, kept himself to himself, and fetishistically hoarded the money he was paid to weave linen.
There are other people in the town and they think he is weird, but then they have their own problems. Specifically brothers Dunstan and Godfrey Cass, sons of the richest guy (farmer? Landowner? I forget) in the village, have problems that will come to pertain particularly to Silas. They are both rather spoiled and ass-y but Godfrey at least feels some shame on this point – a factor which comeuppance will later take into account. The fate of the three intertwine on a cold winter’s night. I’ll leave the mechanics of the transaction to Eliot, but the end result is Silas losing his gold and gaining an orphaned baby girl. Your feelings on the value of such a swap may vary but it cannot be disputed that it works for Silas. What follows is a redemptive story culminating in a deeply satisfying distribution of heavenly justice.
What can I say but this is solid literature right here. It is not shocking or upsetting or gripping or tragic which makes it all the more noteworthy. It is as simple as life which is to say not at all. Within the easy narrative there are themes of creeping industrialization, of the role of class and of the place of religion. These big topics are assimilated seamlessly into the story of Silas and Eppie and it gives ‘Silas Marner’ the feel of a parable; a simple story reflecting a deeper truth. It is an engaging and comforting book with a story so well joined it is hard to remember it was crafted by human hand.
‘Silas Marner’ is an easy three. A lovely book, but just not one I’m capable of getting excited about. You should read it, though, if you haven’t already. On a day when it rains and you’re feeling a bit down about humans in general. I’ll be doing the same.