Silas Marner, a gentle linen weaver, is framed by his best friend for a heinous theft. Exiled from his small community, Marner retreats into bitter and miserly reclusion, caring only for the gold he receives for his work. When his small treasure horde is stolen, Marner feels betrayed by life yet again—until one fateful New Year's Eve, an abandoned golden-haired child appears mysteriously on his doorstep. Through his unselfish love for this child, Marner's heart reawakens to spiritual rebirth and true happiness. George Eliot shows how good character is rewarded in this ageless, heartwarming novel of redemption.
Though this story originally appeared in 1861, its themes and ideas are timeless.
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"I read this story long ago in Junior High School. I didn't remember much about it, but decided to reread it; so glad I did. Elliot created a beautiful story of character transformation through the character of a weaver named Silas Marner. The main character Silas is touched by someone who needs his love and care. Through this love and care he is changed from a untrusting, self protecting man who kept to himself, to a man who loved; a man who recieved the provision of love and kindness his good neighbors bestowed upon him. He was utterly transformed as he learned to love and be loved. A truly touching story filled with Christian virtue." — Karen (4 out of 5 stars)
"I read this story long ago in Junior High School. I didn't remember much about it, but decided to reread it; so glad I did. Elliot created a beautiful story of character transformation through the character of a weaver named Silas Marner. The main character Silas is touched by someone who needs his love and care. Through this love and care he is changed from a untrusting, self protecting man who kept to himself, to a man who loved; a man who recieved the provision of love and kindness his good neighbors bestowed upon him. He was utterly transformed as he learned to love and be loved. A truly touching story filled with Christian virtue."
“I think Silas Marner holds a higher place than any of the author’s works. It is more nearly a masterpiece; it has more of that simple, rounded, consummate aspect…which marks a classical work.”
“A tale of betrayal, gold, and love, encased in the elegant symmetrical structure so popular in traditional English fiction.”
“Proof that a life going badly wrong can, by good fortune and an answering faith and determination, be put triumphantly right.”
“This novel about redemption and renewal is an excellent example of Victorian literature as well as a perfect illustration of Eliot’s elegant and incisive prose.”
“A complex, sympathetic portrait of a good man who was forced by his tightly circumscribed society into being a loner, an embittered outsider.”
" Read so long ago, I cannot remember why this book impressed me; it was required reading and I know that I resisted it for the the first half, but was pulled in, and gained enthusiasm, fairly galloping toward the end. No, it was not because it was almost over. Another read is in order. "
" I liked it more than any other George Eliot book I've read. And suddenly, I'm understanding all sorts of "Eppie" jokes from high school. "
" I forgot about this book, but oh my what a lovely character story. I can still remember vividly his treasure store with so little prodding. This is one I would definitely reread. "
" I claim I can not stand this book as I was made to read it for High School English and Literature Class. But truth be known, it probably had a significant impact on how I write. "
" I discovered George Eliot when we did Middlemarch in 2nd year English at Melbourne University and read everything she wrote. "
" There is no other way to put it - I hated this book with a passion. Possibly because I had to do it at school, but, ugh. It was AWFUL! "
" Much better then I expected! "
" Recently I acknowledged that this was my least favorite of the books I was forced to read in high school. "
" Our book club selection this month. I admit I had a hard time with the first half or so -- it felt slow and the language was hard for me to muddle through in parts. But the story picked up at the end and I liked the themes of family and consequences for our actions. "
" Can't believe I have never read this classic. A great story showing the change that can occur in a person who becomes lost in the world of his money and finds joy with the love of a child. "
" I gave two stars to Silas Marner basically because its a classic. It has horridly random details about things that dont even aid the storyline( the Rainbow Inn, the townsfolk's lives, etc.). I also found it incredibly hard to believe that Dunstan Cass' body was lying in a pit a few feet away from Silas' house for twenty years. Although the book obviously has faults, it does contain some value and moral groundwork. Unfortunately, George Eliot did not deliver quite as well as i hoped she would when I picked Silas Marner up. "
" Another one of the great classics. Actually a very good story. "
" After wading my way through 100 pages or so of frequently opaque syntax, I find that there was very little point or drama to this story. "
" Loved the language and prose. "
" This was one of my father's favorite books. He said it had it all- greed, temptation, lust, prejudice, love, compassion, selfishness, etc. It even has a happy ending! "
" I was disappointed in this book b/c I did not find it interesting until the last third or so and it lacked a climax in the plot. It was a good lesson and certainly made me sympathize with Marner but I found the plot to be seriously lacking. "
" Read this now because I never did read it back in school. Made a good decision back in school... "
" Love this author. Story of love and what makes us happy. "
" wonderful book - a study in what really matters in our lives. "
" Eliot's story transported me to a small English village. Early on she asks, "how was a man to be explained unless you at least knew somebody who knew his father and mother?" and I had to laugh, thinking life in a small town hasn't changed much. I'm happy I was prompted to read this as part of a program at the local library. Her writing is vivid and often witty. I enjoyed the setting, characters and plot. "
" **This book is not the same edition that I read. "
" An entertaining rewrite of the Rumplelstiltskin story. "
" Another one of those books from the High School reading list that I never read in High School. But my daughter, Alyssa did and she was amazed by it! She challenged me to read it and I was so touched by it as well. Great read. . .very much worth your time. "
" I thought it was just ok 'cause it goes on for stinkin' EVER! It does have a good ending though, which is a surprise especially when the beginning is so terrible....any way, it was ok. "
" Overall, kind of an interesting but rather depressing book. Everyone is extremely ignorant and mixed up about religion. The ending isn't very satisfactory either. "
" George Eliot is really a woman. 8-/ "
" Silas Marner takes care of a lost child. "
" The story line is pretty slim but there is no denying that Eliot knows her stuff. There's so much detail to comb over that I can't help but like it from a literary nerd perspective. "
" This one reads almost like a fairy tale. It's sometimes enchanting and has a moral at the end, but it's also got depth and engages you in the story in a more serious way too. "
" George Eliot rules the fascinating and selective world between Victorian fantasy and true modernism, and Middlemarch is one shining example of her expertise. Not just a good reads these are, but some of the very best. "
" Silas Marner and Middlemarch are terrific. The Mill on the Floss is very good, but depressing as hell. Adam Bede is above-average. "
" The book was strongest when it didn't involve Godfrey Cass and his annoying wife. Still, I have to give George Eliot credit for bringing out that strong of a loathing in a character! Fans of literature set in this time period shouldn't miss this gem. "
" A touching story. Vastly different from her "Middlemarch" but I still enjoyed it. Relatively anti-climactic. "
" I was forced to read this in high school, and I can still remember how awful it was. It turned me off of reading for years. "
" I loved this book! The story was touching on a lot of levels. The plot is simple and the language is not as complicated or elaborate as some, but served to tell a wonderful story. A new favorite. "
" Too short to get engrossed in. Too dull to be gripped. Not bad but there's nothing really to it and several of the character relations are developed for no good reason. "
" Thus book is worth the time, but barely, and cause it's short. "
" ok but too much Les Mis... "
" amazing read. i couldnt put this book down. interesting that the author was so clearly talented and had to use a pen name to be taken seriously. "
" Very difficult to understand at times but overall a wonderful story about redemption of an old man's life after becoming a father to an orphaned girl. "
" Maybe the smartest and most beautiful Victorian novel. Incredibly progressive and understanding about class, religion, etc. Even today, we need more people in the world like Silas Marner. "
" I had to read this for A Levels. I try to appreciate literary classics as much as possible but I absolutely hated this. The moralistic tone of the novel did not sit well with me; neither did the empty characters. "
" There's not much by Eliot that I wouldn't re-read multiple times, and this is no exception. 3 stars only in comparison to her "Middlemarch," which is unchallenged in the English-language fiction pantheon. "
" Very satisfied with this book, sad book about lonely people, but liked it. "
" So the story actually started at the end.. I was bored stiff. "
" One of the best stories. "
" Just a delightful story, a true classic. The prose style can keep you on your toes, commas, semi-colons and colons abound, so skimming is not going to happen; but who would want to as Ms. Eliot expertly weaves some social commentary into her simple moral tale. "
" It was a little hard to get through but a pretty sweet story anyway. "
" One of my favorites. I need to read it again but I remember being wholly glad that I did. "
" Excellent read. I could read this book one hundred times over. I would recommend it to anyone. Definitely top ten. "
" I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Granted there were a few places that got a bit verbose for me, but I was intrigued by the characters and how things did and did not turn out for them. I loved the underlying theme of how love can change a character. Worth a read. "
" I skipped reading this book in high school. What a treasure I missed by not reading it then. It is a marvelous book and I heartily recommend it. "
" Old Victorian novel that is very familiar, but the strength of it is that themes are so clearly presented, the book wins you over. Typically don't like heavy handed symbolism but it doesn't matter because Silas is so fully realized as a character. "
" I found the first two thirds tedious. But when Eppy came to live with him, not only was Silas redeemed, but the book was redeemed. "
" I got so much more out of this book the second time I read it. I first read this book in college. Now, that I have a bit more life experience, I appreciate this book so much more. Such a powerful story and so well written. "
" A great touching book! But with some scenes that are hard going and of little importance... "
" Boring at intervals and impractically optimistic "
" Everything about this book is compelling, from the characters to the plot twists. Even though it is from another century, and the characters and prose are written as such, I still found it hard to put down. LOVED IT. "
" Human nature never changes! But there is beauty and trust if you allow it to enter your life. Lovely little story! "
" hated it cuz of school but otherwise it was ok "
" Utterly brilliant. The ultimate way to restore your faith in the inherent goodness of many (though not all) people. Gripping, heart warming and a book that will live with you for long after you close the back cover and wipe away the tears. "
" One of my very favorites. "
" This is one of my favorite books! So sweet! I loved it. "
" how can you like a book when they make you read it. all i wanted was mad comics. "
" I do love this classic. It's really a timeless commentary on human behavior. It gets better with each reading. "
" I love this book. My Daddy is Silas. I love him so much! "
" A nice read if your looking for a story with a happy ending which many don't have now in days. Check out the movie staring Sir Ben Kingsley. "
George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann, or Marian, Evans (1819–1880), was an English Victorian novelist of the first rank. An assistant editor for the Westminster Review from 1851 to 1854, she wrote her first fiction in 1857 and her first full-length novel, Adam Bede, in 1859. In her writing, she was chiefly preoccupied with moral problems, especially the moral development and psychological analysis of her characters. She is known for her sensitive and honest depiction of life and people in works that are acclaimed as classics.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.
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