Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by grifen87
Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
3.0
This was my first Eliot novel, and I really didn't know what I was getting into, especially regarding the focus on Judaism. But all in all, the novel presents unusual breadth and depth in its scope of themes and ideas as well as a more complex, intimate realism than many 18th-19th century authors venture to portray (or perhaps were capable of portraying). I was distantly reminded of Austen in the themes of marriage and the expectations of women in society and of Tolstoy in the broad range of themes and experiences that are offered for contemplation. But this novel provides perhaps a more intense, gritty look at society than Austen and a deeper look than Tolstoy, albeit with fewer life experiences.
I think if someone asked me for a summary of this novel, I would struggle to provide a concise, coherent synopsis because to me the plot is a hazy background to my contemplation of what Eliot is really trying to say. Yes, there are characters and events and circumstances, but there's so much more to it than that. I found many aspects of it true and relevant, but I am left with questions. Certainly we should be bold enough to break out of those limiting roles that society places us in, and certainly we should be aware of the effects of our decisions on others. Career and marriage are not the end-all fountains of meaning, happiness, or identity. But what then IS our source of identity and meaning? Religion? Judaism? Family? Tradition? The conclusion is unclear. I also found it difficult to take Deronda's pursuit of Judaism seriously, much like Pyotr Bezukhov's religious quest in War & Peace. But perhaps I'm just being cynical. Of course I have nothing against Judaism, but I speak merely in the context of this novel. I think it's difficult to portray genuine religious fervor without seeming superfluous or melodramatic.
While the book has some good qualitites, I'm not convinced it was worth my time. Through the whole second half of it I felt like I was Gwendolyn, imprisoned by her tortuous marriage to Grandcourt. I have been known to read a lot of long, dry books, but there is usually some motivating benefit that drives me through such volumes. That motivation, however, was lacking in this book.
Perhaps my thoughts will season with time, but currently I would rather not even think about this book as it became such a drudgery to finish. I all but ceased to care what happened or what was said. I just wanted it to be over. Perhaps after a long period of therapy I will be ready to read one of Eliot's more prominent novels. I did appreciate the literary references and the use of other languages.
I think if someone asked me for a summary of this novel, I would struggle to provide a concise, coherent synopsis because to me the plot is a hazy background to my contemplation of what Eliot is really trying to say. Yes, there are characters and events and circumstances, but there's so much more to it than that. I found many aspects of it true and relevant, but I am left with questions. Certainly we should be bold enough to break out of those limiting roles that society places us in, and certainly we should be aware of the effects of our decisions on others. Career and marriage are not the end-all fountains of meaning, happiness, or identity. But what then IS our source of identity and meaning? Religion? Judaism? Family? Tradition? The conclusion is unclear. I also found it difficult to take Deronda's pursuit of Judaism seriously, much like Pyotr Bezukhov's religious quest in War & Peace. But perhaps I'm just being cynical. Of course I have nothing against Judaism, but I speak merely in the context of this novel. I think it's difficult to portray genuine religious fervor without seeming superfluous or melodramatic.
While the book has some good qualitites, I'm not convinced it was worth my time. Through the whole second half of it I felt like I was Gwendolyn, imprisoned by her tortuous marriage to Grandcourt. I have been known to read a lot of long, dry books, but there is usually some motivating benefit that drives me through such volumes. That motivation, however, was lacking in this book.
Perhaps my thoughts will season with time, but currently I would rather not even think about this book as it became such a drudgery to finish. I all but ceased to care what happened or what was said. I just wanted it to be over. Perhaps after a long period of therapy I will be ready to read one of Eliot's more prominent novels. I did appreciate the literary references and the use of other languages.