silas marner
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Title :: Silas MarnerAuthor :: George Eliot
Completed :: Feb 16 2008
Challenges :: 1001 Books
Rating :: 3/5
In the days when the spinning-wheels hummed busily in the farmhouses - and even great ladies, clothed in silk and thread-lace, had their toy spinning-wheels of polished oak - there might be seen, in districts far away among the lanes, or deep in the bosom of the hills, certain pallid undersized men, who, by the side of the brawny country-folk, looked like the remnants of a disinherited race.
I've checked this book out a few times from the library intending to read it but (and I'm ashamed to admit this) I judged a book by it's cover! The cover pictured above was unfortunately not the one I had, mine was an old Penguin Classic cover and it was dingy and the artwork they chose for it was all browns and yellow and well let's face it the book seemed rather drab. Sadly I thought the story would be the same, I should have known better. Silas Marner was as it turns out a rather nice story albeit predictable.
The book is named for the main character, Silas Marner, who is a recluse weaver who settles into a new village when a scandal forces him to leave his previous settlement. This event seems to be the cause for Silas' withdrawal from society. The weaver is interested in nothing else but weaving his goods and collecting payment, large quantities of it that he counts and admires every night. One dark rainy night Silas is robbed of his money and is thus reintegrated into society when he tries to enlist the help of his neighbors to solve the mystery. On another dark night Silas finds a little girl lying on his floor in front of the fire. His weak eyesight makes his heart jolt as he first mistakes the little girl's golden tresses for his long lost gold. Silas becomes rather attached to her and is determined to bring her up. I believe he views her as God's (when he comes around to understanding God that is) reward for the loss of his gold.
Meanwhile, Godfrey, the birth father of Hephzibah - thankfully shortened to Eppie, lives in the same village and watches his daughter grow up under the care of Silas. He was too embarrassed to come forward about her as it would announce that he had been secretly married to her mother, a woman it appears he found despicable. Godfrey has since remarried and is afraid to reveal to his new wife that he in fact has a daughter, something his new wife is unable to provide him with. Silas becomes a full fledged member of the tiny village and is happy in his care for Eppie. She grows into a beauty, of course, and is very fond of her "father". The novel ends with Godfrey revealing the truth and the mystery of the lost gold is also brought to light.
The novel was quaint but not something I would call a classic must read epic. That being said the plot did run smoothly and it was in the end a joy to read but like I mentioned previously it was rather predictable...
Other Thoughts ::
: 1 more chapter
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. listening . bulimic . the used . the used .
Labels: book review
posted by Ashleigh @ 22:06,
