'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' I know, I know this is Dickens and I'm supposed to be writing about Eliot. But this sums up how I felt whilst reading Silas Marner. My reading would have been greatly enhanced by sharing this with someone with more experience than I in books of this sort. I struggled with the long sentences and descriptions that had me saying "what?" after reading them. Then the clouds would part and, for me anyway, the writing would become so clear and wonderful. The story begins with Silas Marner working in a village as a weaver. He is falsely accused of theft, betrayed by his friend. He leaves the town, his job and his fiancee behind to start life over again, this time in a cottage far from others. With lots of work and not much to spend his money on, he keeps his stash of coins hidden in his cottage. But one day, while Silas leaves his cottage unlocked during a short errand, he is robbed of his fortune. The despair is enough to just about drive him mad. Then, and further into the book than I thought, Silas spies a pool of gold in front of his hearth. Could this be his money returned to him? As he fixes his eyes more closely he discovers it is a small child with blonde curls, wandered in from goodness knows where through the snow. Her mother lies dead nearby. Silas finds new reason to live and the loss of his fortune no longer consumes him. He names the little girl, Eppie, and becomes the best of fathers to her, seeking advice from a neighbour when needed. Watching from afar though, is the man who is Eppie's biological father, unbeknownst to the other villagers. He knows that to reveal his relationship with the dead woman will jeopardize his relationships and standing in the village. The story is a marvelous one and I adored the ending. Perhaps I wasn't patient enough with the long, drawn out bits, isn't that a terrible thing to say about a treasured author? The fault is all mine. The Heiress is going to be reading this for her English class soon if her professor can drag himself away from Northanger Abbey. If you read this child of mine, it's a really lovely story and well worth reading, perhaps not as riveting in some spots as those Twilight books you enjoyed so much, but well worth wading through.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Silas Marner by George Eliot
'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' I know, I know this is Dickens and I'm supposed to be writing about Eliot. But this sums up how I felt whilst reading Silas Marner. My reading would have been greatly enhanced by sharing this with someone with more experience than I in books of this sort. I struggled with the long sentences and descriptions that had me saying "what?" after reading them. Then the clouds would part and, for me anyway, the writing would become so clear and wonderful. The story begins with Silas Marner working in a village as a weaver. He is falsely accused of theft, betrayed by his friend. He leaves the town, his job and his fiancee behind to start life over again, this time in a cottage far from others. With lots of work and not much to spend his money on, he keeps his stash of coins hidden in his cottage. But one day, while Silas leaves his cottage unlocked during a short errand, he is robbed of his fortune. The despair is enough to just about drive him mad. Then, and further into the book than I thought, Silas spies a pool of gold in front of his hearth. Could this be his money returned to him? As he fixes his eyes more closely he discovers it is a small child with blonde curls, wandered in from goodness knows where through the snow. Her mother lies dead nearby. Silas finds new reason to live and the loss of his fortune no longer consumes him. He names the little girl, Eppie, and becomes the best of fathers to her, seeking advice from a neighbour when needed. Watching from afar though, is the man who is Eppie's biological father, unbeknownst to the other villagers. He knows that to reveal his relationship with the dead woman will jeopardize his relationships and standing in the village. The story is a marvelous one and I adored the ending. Perhaps I wasn't patient enough with the long, drawn out bits, isn't that a terrible thing to say about a treasured author? The fault is all mine. The Heiress is going to be reading this for her English class soon if her professor can drag himself away from Northanger Abbey. If you read this child of mine, it's a really lovely story and well worth reading, perhaps not as riveting in some spots as those Twilight books you enjoyed so much, but well worth wading through.
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What a lovely review for your daughter; I hope she does read it. I have only read one Eliot, and it was an obscure one for the Virago Venture, and according to the introduction somewhat of an anomaly in her work. I definitely feel that I should read one of her "great" novels; have you read any others? Daniel Deronda has been recommended to me. I'm not completely sure where to start, and think I might struggle with Silas.
ReplyDeleteI read her Middlemarch and loved it. I contemplated reading this one now but Wives and Daughters won out and I'm glad it did. I'll get to Silas Marner eventually, but I think my mood has to be right. Good for you with sticking with it during those draggy parts--I think that's why I set Bleak House aside--I need to get back to it and persevere!
ReplyDeleteYou've perfectly described the experience I had with this book a few years ago! Love that your daughter's professor is stuck on Northanger Abbey...it's my second favorite Austen.
ReplyDeleteWill you be tackling Middlemarch any time soon?
I read Silas Marner a few years ago and I remember I really liked it. He has absence seizures or something doesn't he? Have you read Eliot's Mill on the Floss? It's a great read.
ReplyDeleteI love George Eliot - she can be hard to get into but once you're in, you're in. I think you'd really enjoy Daniel Deronda.
ReplyDeleteI've never read Silas Marner but it sounds a little like the so terrible it's terrific Frances Hodgson Burnett novel I read a while back, In Connection with the De Willoughby Claim! Your review has really made me want to read this and it's gone on my wishlist!
Your daughter's professor needs to move on!
Thank you for a lovely reminder of Silas Marner. Much as I love Eliot I understand your struggle - I can only enjoy her writing when I am in the right mindspace for dealing with the words.
ReplyDeleteAfter tackling my first Eliot (Mill on the Floss) earlier this summer I look forward to reading her other novels. I think I will treat her like Trollope and space them out with several months in between books. Although I think Eliot's output was less than Trollope so I may stretch her books out on a more leisurely schedule.
ReplyDeleteverity, Rachel has recommended Daniel Deronda as well so if I do read another Eliot I'll choose that one. I loved the movie!
ReplyDeleteDanielle, I'm really glad that I did stick with it, definitely keep it in mind for down the road. Wives and Daughters should be a wonderful read, I look forward to your review!
JoAnn, Oh my goodness, Middlemarch? I know how thick that book is! Next time I spy it on the shelf at the library I'm going to have a peek at the language...we'll see. I loved the DVD!
Vintage Reading, You're right about the seizures. I haven't read Mill on the Floss, I'd forgotten about that title...one to consider. I'm spoiled for choice now!
Rachel, The next book up in class was supposed to be Frankenstein. Last week all of the students showed up with their copy, perhaps a silent protest that enough was enough. There's no way they are going to get through Little Dorrit which is also on the list.
I've never heard of that FHB title! I'm intrigued now! I'll pull Daniel Deronda off of the shelf at the library for a peek, to understand her writing better I really need to read more of her work I think.
fleurfisher, It's a relief to be in good company then because I think that you're quite clever!
Thomas, A wise decision, I definitely feel in the mood for something really light in spirit now. Daniel Deronda has been recommended here, perhaps a good choice for your second Eliot read.
ReplyDeletehas your daughter's professor only ever read Northanger Abbey, is that why he can't move on?
ReplyDeleteI have never read Silas Marner sounds like one to add to the tbr pile!
Bloomsbury Bell, It is a bit ridiculous isn't it! They are to cover five novels, one being Little Dorrit (they have no chance), before Christmas and he's still lingering over Northanger Abbey. I think he's fixated. It'll be the notes version of everything else if he doesn't get a move on.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely keep Silas Marner in mind, it's not a long read either.
Not sure how I would feel about this now, but I really really loved Silas Marner when I was about 10/11/12. I read it twice then. I don't remember any boring parts, but then I wasn't such a discerning reader then. It's the only Eliot I've read though.
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