Reviews

Silas Marner by George Eliot

kerrydwyernichols's review against another edition

3.0

Excellent plot.

logickat's review against another edition

4.0

Falsely accused of a crime, Silas is forced to leave his community. Silas sets up as a weaver in a small rural community. He withdraws into himself, not interacting with the townsfolk, giving him the reputation of an antisocial miser. Silas takes pleasure only in accumulating savings. When that is taken from him, he sinks into a deep despair, until a tiny tot toddles into his life, by sheer happenstance. He instantly becomes devoted to her, and she becomes the light of his life. Silas is a good-hearted character who tries to do right, despite the difficult or complicated circumstances he finds himself in. There is quite a bit of backstory about some of the townspeople, and it all comes together as the characters' lives are woven together in unexpected ways. This is a charming story of the graces and foibles of humanity.

sami_stark's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

peanutallergy95's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

waione's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

stelfra's review against another edition

1.0

literal cheeks

lauradoesntread's review against another edition

3.0

the way george eliot writes the human condition is breathtaking; i can’t wait to branch out and read some of her other works.

hadidee's review against another edition

5.0

Re-reading an old favorite

veebsie's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

reclusivebookslug's review against another edition

inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Reading this felt somewhat nourishing to the spirit. A great introduction to George Eliot.

I wish Silas' character arc went a bit different.

It felt like Silas was just switching loyalties (his the religious community of Lantern Yard, then hoarding money, then looking for the thief, then Eppie) without building up his own sense of self, purpose, and worldview. It's like he goes from blindly following the behaviors and beliefs of Lantern Yard out of his sense of faith to blindly following the behaviors and beliefs of Aveloe out of devotion to Eppie. It's wonderful that he found community and connection in Aveloe and learned to trust again, but it veers too closely into a full-throated endorsement of assimilation for me.