Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe is George Eliot's third novel, and apparently one of her shortest. It was published in 1861. It's been adapted into several silent films, at least one miniseries, and an opera.
The story revolves around both the title character and the Cass family. Silas Marner comes to Raveloe after he's falsely accused of robbery. While there he's robbed by Dunstan Cass, then through a chain of coincidences he ends up adopting the daughter of Dunstan's brother.
It's obvious that Eliot wanted to deliver a message through this book. Unfortunately the writing is so dull and the characters so unlikable that the message falls flat. She clearly intended Godfrey Cass to be sympathetic. I found him as disgusting as Dunstan. The time skip towards the end makes things even worse. Why under heaven did Nancy marry Godfrey when she disliked him (with good reason) the last time we saw her? Even worse, she goes from being a relatively interesting character to a doormat who doesn't bat an eyelid when she learns her husband was married before and has a child. What. Any woman in her right mind would have questions if she learnt something like that. Nancy herself, pre-time skip, would have demanded an explanation. But post-time skip she doesn't say a word about it. Frankly, that has some disturbing (and probably unintentional) implications about how Godfrey treats her.
The only sympathetic characters are Silas himself and Eppie -- who only appears as an adult for the last few chapters, and who we never really get to know. I loved the part where she told Godfrey to get lost, though.
Overall the book is rushed, often implausible, and downright dull. The ending is especially unsatisfying; we never find out if Silas's name was cleared or not. What a let-down.
Is it available online?: Yes, on Gutenberg.
Rating: 2/10.
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