Customer Reviews

Adam Bede: 150th Anniversary Edition (Signet Classics)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Adam Bede is George Eliot's novel of love and life in the English countryside. Eliot, who in reality was a woman, Marian (Mary Ann) Evans, writes of ordinary people living in the early 19th century and in this case the main events take place between the years 1798 and 1801. In this book the story centers around five young people, Adam and Seth Bede, Arthur Donnithorne, Hetty Sorrel and Dinah Morris. Adam and Seth are carpenters. Adam is the older brother. He is depicted as physically strong and of high moral character and is admired by everyone in the small community of Hayslope where they live. Seth has a gentler, spiritual nature. Arthur is the grandson and heir of Squire Donnithorne, an old and greedy man who owns the property on which many people in the community make their living as tenant farmers. The Captain, he is in the military and is temporarily home because of an injury to his arm, is essentially a good person and well liked by everyone, but is insensible to his status and thus acts irresponsibly. Hetty is a beautiful, but frivolous, young woman (only 17 at the start of the novel), given to dreams of a luxurious life. Dinah is deeply religious and sees herself as a Methodist preacher. She lives in a nearby community where she works in a mill, but spends considerable time in Hayslope where she stays with her relatives, the Poysers. Other important characters are Mr. and Mrs. Poyser, tenant farmers who care for their niece Hetty, the Rev. Adolphus Irvine, the community minister and adherent of the Church of England, Mrs. Lizabeth Bede, Adam and Seth's mother, and Bartle Massey, a teacher with an abhorrence of women.

As the story begins, Adam is in love with Hetty, but she pays little attention to him because of his working class status. Seth loves Dinah, but she says she is too committed to her religion to marry. Arthur, attracted to the pretty Hetty, begins a flirtation with her that leads to disastrous consequences. Arthur, several years younger than Adam, admires him greatly and hopes that Adam will work for him when he becomes master of the estate. The feeling at this point is shared.

The first 250 pages of the novel may be described as slow moving. Here Eliot seems to be more concerned with introducing the characters and describing the culture of the country community than with advancing the plot. One feature of this part of the book is the 21st birthday party for Arthur which is described in great detail. But the story takes off after that and the next 150 pages, which may be subtitled; "Hetty's Story" in that it deals primarily with her troubles, are the most exciting and interesting part of the book. The last 50 pages or so are a kind of anti-climax with, in my view, a compromised and unconvincing ending.

But plot is not the primary value of this novel. Eliot seems to be concerned mostly with character development and how adversity affects it. Religion also plays a big role in the novel. Hetty's character is shallow and ultimately leads to her demise. Adam is honorable but uncompromising. He comes to learn the power of forgiveness. Arthur is well meaning but thoughtless. He learns that such thoughtlessness can harm himself as well as others. Dinah realizes that love of God alone is not enough and good deeds for strangers cannot match the value of family. Seth, alone, seems unchanged by the events of the story, remaining good natured and accepting of life's offerings.

The minor characters also undergo this character test. Rev. Irvine, initially seen as derelict in his religious devotions, rises to the occasion and shows his essential goodness. The Poysers, while at first holding strong and inflexible views, learn that life requires adjustments. Bartle Massey, for all his misogynist views, comes to realize that women can play positive roles in life.

Adam Bede was Eliot's first major work and it shows. Much of the story is contrived and hard to believe. Her later work is more structured and believable. I would certainly recommend reading her, but perhaps Mill on The Floss, Silas Marner and certainly, Middlemarch are better works.

I purchased this book as a requirement for an "lifelong learning" class. I had expected it to be stilted, slow going, but the pages just flew by. A good reading experience.

The author could be a little too descriptive and long-winded at times, but overall the story was really good. I think more girls will enjoy it than guys because of the romantic story lines. However, it wasn't all romance, there were also some pretty crazy non romantic plot twists as well. So, if you're struggling through the first portion of the novel, don't give up! it'll be worth it by the end, i promise : )

-Hannah Nielsen (daughter of D.K. Nielsen)

I don't give away plot in my book reviews. Simply put, there is a reason the classic works ARE classic. This is a 19th century page turner. Grips one's interest from the start. When reading, bear in mind this voice is from the past, writing about a very real past. What better history lesson could one want?

A beautifully written sad story of people, interaction, love, revenge and forgiveness. The words are flowery and expressive. The thoughts are detailed and draw you into the minds of others.

This was one of her first novels and as she wrote of day to day activities and regular people, she did an incredible job showing the nature of humanity. I listened to it and was done within a day. I could not put it down and it flowed with ease and charm.

If you love words, descriptions and adjectives, you will love it as much as I did. A lovely book.