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cloe_chc 's review for:
Silas Marner
by George Eliot
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.