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Scenes of Clerical Life (Penguin Classics) Paperback – October 1, 1999

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George Eliot (Author)
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George Eliot (Author), Jennifer Gribble (Editor, Introduction)
4.6 out of 5 stars 16 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Series: Penguin Classics
  • Paperback: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Classics; Revised ed. edition (October 1, 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0140436383
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140436389
  • Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.9 x 7.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsEliot's first is still a landmark
By Ben Hodges on March 2, 2006
Format: Paperback
Eliot's first work here is still surprising in its form, its message, and its outlook. Eschewing the romantic elements of the early-mid 19th century, Eliot embraced (if not practically invented) realism--not necessarily that real life should constitute all texts, but that real people should inhabit them, changing characters, three-dimensional people with which the reader is nearly forced to sympathize. Eliot's narrators are constantly, though never tediously, beckoning our sympathies to these people--drab, regular, nondescript characters which still hold our fervent attention to the end.

I will not speak of the plots here, for you can look elsewhere for that. Suffice it to say that Eliot is the only feminist I will ever read. Her descriptions, always important and vital to the meaning of the story, are utterly incredible. This book is more like poetry in this regard--its imagery, its vibrancy.

If you buy this book, think of some of these questions:

-Why is it called "The Sad Fortunes of Amos Barton" and not "...of Milly Barton"?

-Always keep in mind the muddling of characters and concepts. Are there are any ideal characters in this book, or are nearly all characters both execrable and sympathetic at the same time? If there is an ideal character, why would Eliot do this? (Milly)

-When does Janet make her first appearance in her story? Why?

That's enough. This book isn't read enough. It's a fabulous introduction to Eliot, as well as one of her best works. Her scope here is much more focused than than of her other works, though not to disparage those too much...it's less than 400 pages, whereas Middlemarch is around 1000! Read this, then pick up Middlemarch.

If you want realism, and if you think Henry James isn't very readable, pick up this book.
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5.0 out of 5 starsGeorge Eliot's first published fictional work is a neglected gem by the literary genius
By C. M Mills on October 8, 2007
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) was born in Warwickshire in 1819. Her father was an estate manager and farmer. Little Mary Ann knew life in rural England. She would make rural Britain during the time of the industrial revolution her main fictional focus. She is the author of great classics "Middlemarch" "Adam Bede" "The Mill on the Floss" "Romola
and "Daniel Deronda/"
Prior to the publication of these classics there is the charming and touching work "Scenes of a Clerical Life." Mary Ann was living without benefit of clergy with the author/scientist/man of letters George Henry Lewes who couldn't divorce his mad wife to mary the homely but brilliant Mary Ann (she spoke seven languages and had written widely on biblical criticism, science, book reviews and essays of erudition and wit). Lewes suggested she try her hand at fiction. The result is this collection of three stories which was published monthly in the liberal "Westminster Review" owned by the Blackwood Family in 1857. It was later published in book form under the pen name of "George Eliot". Charles Dickens was the only critic who correctly observed that these stories had to have been written by a woman.
The three tales are:
1. The Sad Fortunes of the Rev. Amos Barton-The setting for this story as for the other two is the mythical Midlands town of Milby. Barton is an a very average cleryman who is not well liked by his parishoners. He is in dire poverty supporting several children and a sickly wife Millie. When Mrs. Barton dies we see how the church folks support Barton in his grief. The story is short and touching.
2. Mr. Gilfil's Love Story. This second clergyman in the trilogy of tales is a kindhearted old minister of the gospel. Eliot takes us back to 1788 to the story of his lost love for the beautiful Caterina.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsMoving, inspiring, and beautifully written
By Amazon Customer on April 16, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I realize that great Victorian novels are to some degree an acquired taste. To lovers of the genre, George Eliot stands out as perhaps its finest writer. Scenes of Clerical Life does not disappoint in this regard. The book is actually three books in one, each following a different character in their spiritual growth and worldly trials. Amos Barton, Maynard Gilfil, and Janet Dempster are indelible characters who endure believable tragedies. I found the story of Janet Dempster particularly inspiring. Janet is a battered wife who becomes an alcoholic to dull the pain of her life. Through a long and detailed personal and spiritual struggle, she learns forgiveness and not incidentally overcomes her alcoholism.

I highly recommend Scenes of Clerical Life.
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3.0 out of 5 starsA collection of three stories
By Katie Prestwich on December 12, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
These stories became successively better. The first one was not very well developed and described way too many insignificant characters. The second story was much better, and the third was a beautiful tale of redemption.
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5.0 out of 5 starsClassic Literature for All Time
By Robyn W on August 16, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I needed to become accustomed to 19th Century writing in the beginning of the first novella but once I did, all three of them flowed. The stories were both heartbreaking and extremely "modern" classic tales of life in the English countryside; they are stories we're all familiar with, even today. If I'd had to read them when I was in high school, I'm sure I wouldn't have liked them; I certainly wouldn't have 'gotten them'.
However, as an adult "of a certain age", they resonate with what life is for so many of us. Ups and downs, people and personalities we've known, tragic events, all of the disappointments we experience...they're all here and remind me that there's really nothing new under the sun. George Elliot wrote her novels with compassion and a voice that still speaks to us today.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsMr. Gilfil's Love Story

I enjoyed this collection very much, even though it fell short of Middlemarch. I found Mr. Gilfil's Love Story simply superb.

Published 5 months ago by Charles Van Cott
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

love GE's story telling

Published 18 months ago by cjaap
5.0 out of 5 starsMarvelous stuff!

This first work by the great George Eliot shows clearly how she came to be so great; Scenes of Clerical Life is where Middlemarch began. Marvelous stuff!

Published 24 months ago by Carolyn Page
5.0 out of 5 starsGeorge Eliot Always Comes Through

Middlemarch is my favorite George Eliot book, and I liked this book as well. It is a little different with three stories yet they all tied together. I only wish it was longer!

Published on January 25, 2014 by Gayle Landeen
5.0 out of 5 starsNice manageable length

I enjoyed these stories, especially because each can be read in a sitting, which is not the case with Eliot's more famous works.

Published on October 3, 2013 by Mama Jo
5.0 out of 5 starsmoving and uplifting!

Eliot draws on the scenes and characters of her childhood to genuinely recreate emotions and truths that are timeless! Read more

Published on June 26, 2013 by Margaret Shields
5.0 out of 5 starsMore George Eliot

If you love George Eliot you will love this book even if it is not quite the masterpiece her full length novels are. Read more

Published on March 10, 2013 by Tera Lynn Hausmann
5.0 out of 5 starsI love it!

I loved reading this book. I can now add this book of my collection of George Eliot books. I have 2 more books to read by George Eliot, then my collection will be complete. Read more

Published on December 24, 2012 by Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 starsA perceptive glimpse of 19th Century English village life

I am a passionate George Eliot fan. I really enjoy Victorian era literature, and George Eliot is one of my favourite Victorian writers, so much so that I did my thesis for my... Read more

Published on October 21, 2012 by Jacqui
4.0 out of 5 starsIt's the language, not the story...

Read this for the language. The plots suffer from the sentimentality found in so many great 19C novels. Read more

Published on January 6, 2012 by Tom Hartung

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