Silas Marner

By: George Eliot

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

The weaver Silas Marner is a member of a small Calvinist congregation in Lantern Yard, a slum street in an unnamed city in Northern England in the early 19th century. He is falsely accused of stealing the congregation's funds, leaves the city in disgrace, and accumulates a small fortune in another town… only to lose it to theft. But he soon adopts an orphan child quite by accident. The exchange of one treasure for another is the heart of the story.

In Silas Marner, George Eliot combines humor, jealousy, and rich symbolism within an historically precise setting to create an extraordinary tale of love and hope. This novel explores the issues of redemptive love, the notion of community, the role of religion, and the status of the gentry and family. Eliot concerns herself, as always, with matters of ethics, and it is clear that for her, ethics exist apart from religion. Although it seems like a simple moral story with a happy ending, George Eliot's text is rich with ideas about organized religion, the role of the gentry, and the negative impact of the industrial revolution.

Public Domain (P)2011 Audio Connoisseur

Great classic read well

This is one of those books I was "supposed" to have read in High School. Well, now (about 45 years later) I've finally at least listened to it. What a delightful surprise. Carlton Griffin does an exceptional job reading the book. The voices are distinctive and nothing distracts from the plot. The book is, well, a classic -- and for all the right reasons. Mary Ann Evans (aka George Eliot) was typical of 19th century Victorian literature. There is a lot of prose, but the descriptions of people and the environment rival those of Dickens (my favorite).

Wonderful story with great life lessons!

Wonderful story with great life lessons. Accent of narrator a little difficult to understand at times, but great performance overall!

a book worth reading

Throughout the first three quarters of the story, the mood and the discussion of the characters enlighten us on the inner workings of Silas Marner's heart and mind. The mood is dark; some parts of the story feel difficult to slog through. Then, at the climax, the light comes out and the sun shines and everything is changed. It is a story of redemption. It is a social commentary on the darkness and narrowness of men's minds. The narrator is exceptional, bringing to life each character in an extraordinary way.

Dreary and Slow

What disappointed you about Silas Marner?

Still trying to figure out why it's considered a classic.

Has Silas Marner turned you off from other books in this genre?

Probably.

What three words best describe Charlton Griffin’s voice?

Great accent! Good acting.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Boredom.

Any additional comments?

No wonder I never finished it in junior high.