Silas Marner [Audio Cassette]

George Eliot (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1961 | ISBN-10: 9997470133 | ISBN-13: 978-9997470133

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This 19th-century classic, read by Andrew Sachs, is a tale of betrayal, gold, and love, encased in the elegant symmetrical structure so popular in traditional English fiction, featuring Marner, the weaver, who is framed for theft by his best friend and becomes a recluse, focusing his strong affections only on the store of golden coins he receives in payment for his work. As usual, Chivers has produced an excellent audio presentation of a literary masterpiece. Alas, in this day and age fewer and fewer readers not enrolled in literature classes actually read the works of what are frequently referred to as "dead white males" even if, as in this case, they were actually written by a woman. For this reason, this title is recommended for all academic but only larger public libraries.
-I. Pour-El, Iowa State Univ., Ames
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

''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.'' --Henry James

''A tale of betrayal, gold, and love, encased in the elegant symmetrical structure so popular in traditional English fiction.'' --School Library Journal

''Proof that a life going badly wrong can, by good fortune and an answering faith and determination, be put triumphantly right.'' --Independent (London)

''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.'' --Michelle Bailat-Jones, writer and translator

''A complex, sympathetic portrait of a good man who was forced by his tightly circumscribed society into being a loner, an embittered outsider.'' --New York Times --This text refers to the MP3 CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Books on Tape (June 1961)
• ISBN-10: 9997470133
• ISBN-13: 978-9997470133
• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (216 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,819,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born Mary Ann Evans, Victorian novelist George Eliot (1819-1880) is the author of a number of remarkable works, including the masterpiece Middlemarch.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#89 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics

#89 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for all times, but not for all readers April 5, 2001

By Susan E. Hallander

Format:Hardcover

Question: How can you ensure that a person will hate a book? Answer: Make her read it for 7th grade English class, make sure that the language is old-fashioned, and above all, make sure that the ideas and concepts are over her head. If that's what happened to you, and that's why you have an aversion to Silas Marner, and you are now over 30, pick it up again. Read it twice. Silas Marner is one of the greatest novels in the English language.

Yes, it starts out sad, as our pathetic hero looses both his trust in humanity and his faith in God. But the power of love replaces his lust for money, and wins out in the end. Meanwhile, morally poor but financially rich, high-living Godfrey Cass provides a counterpoint to simple Silas. At the end there's a surprise when the fate of Godfrey's evil brother is revealed.

When you're all done, before you file Silas Marner on the shelf, go back and read the paragraph about Silas' thoughts when he discovers that his hordes of coins are missing. If you have ever felt sudden extreme loss, you will recognize the stages of despair from disbelief to acceptance "like a man falling into dark water." Which is why this book is not suitable for children, and is most appreciated by those who have undergone their own moral redemption.

Silas has been the inspiration for many other characters, including Dicken's Scrooge. He has been portrayed in movies, including "A Simple Twist of Fate" starring Steve Martin. But none is as good as the original. If you haven't read it since junior high, try it again. Silas Marner is an excellent book. There's a gem of human understanding in every chapter.

60 of 64 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure gold November 9, 2004

By Peter Reeve VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

If you have a heart, the story of Silas Marner will warm it. You are better coming to it fresh, without knowing anything of the simple yet solid plot, so I will say nothing of it. I will just urge you to read this wonderful book. Eliot writes beautifully and from page one, you realize you are in the hands of a true artist. This is a very human, very English story of simple people living through those very basic emotions that make the world turn and give the universe meaning.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tale of the Redeeming Power of Love December 15, 2008

By R.J. Robledo

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Silas Marner is an excellent classic novel set in early Nineteenth Century England. In this story, George Eliot (pen name for Mary Ann Evans) depicts a man named Silas Marner, a weaver by trade. He lives happily in his home town of Lantern Yard, until his best friend William Dane betrays him by setting him up as a thief. William then marries Silas' fiancée, and Silas is shunned from the town. He eventually settles in a very small cottage in Raveloe, where he spends his days making cloth and other materials for the townspeople. Due to his now secretive and reclusive ways, the people of Raveloe never really come to know Silas, and he lives in solitude, having turned away from his former faith and happiness.
But one winter's night, a small orphan girl comes to his house, and everything changes. Silas cares for the child (with the help of his neighbor, Mrs. Winthrop, whose family soon befriends him), and his heart begins to soften.
This is a very good representation of the redeeming power of love, and the consequences of a person's actions. For people who enjoy classic literature, this is definitely a must-read.

Ryan Robledo
Author of the Aelnathan: