I read this book as a part of the Book Riot Read Harder Reading Journal Challenge. Specifically for the challenge to "reread a book you read in school". I had first read this when I was fourteen. I am to be forty-seven in nine days.

I loved this book then, and I do now. The language is beautiful and rich. As is typical of its age, this Victorian novel is didactic; however, the lessons are presented comfortably within the story in a way that doesn't feel preachy. Furthermore, the outcomes for all persons are satisfying, even perhaps fulfilling.

As a fourteen-year-old, I related most to the child in the book despite her not appearing until the last quarter of the book. I had sympathy for Silas, but the girl loomed large in my mind. As an adult, I understand far more than I would like Silas' sense of betrayal and mistrust.

But the biggest revelation of this reading challenge was one of self.

Along with this book I likewise adored Heaven by V.C. Andrews at that time, which I also reread this year, though with far less pleasure, as part of the challenge. Partway into this book, I found myself rather mystified by this, puzzled by how complex the human mind is that these books could, at that age, be equally adored by me.

However, as I was making notes in my reading journal after finishing this book, it hit me. There is a connection between these books. Both of them feature an orphan who is taken in by other people. Both are children with dead mothers and fathers that are neglectful. Fourteen was rock bottom for me. My mother's abuse reached its peak and would remain at that plateau for the next three years. I longed for her death; though I was unable to face that consciously. My father's drinking was also at its worst. He was passed out drunk when I needed him most.

Human beings are truly complicated. ( )

Standing apart from the voluminous (occasionally tedious) works that are [b:Daniel Deronda|374414|Daniel Deronda|George Eliot|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1285748480l/374414._SY75_.jpg|313957] and [b:Middlemarch|271276|Middlemarch|George Eliot|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1368564098l/271276._SY75_.jpg|1461747], Eliot's compact and finely-crafted narrative of loss and redemption reminds me why I love words and well-told tales.

A friend gave me a copy and I happily devoured it in two sittings.

( )

I really enjoyed this book. Like with all of Eliots works there is a moral tone to the work, but that does nothing to diminish the story.

Poor Silas has to go through trials but is fortunate of recognising a blessing when is unexpectidly lands in his lap. The weavers moral code is in sharp contrast to that of the squires son's, who Eliot ensures get their just deserts in the end. ( )

beautifully written ( )

This is an excellent smaller Eliot novel - less of a commitment than Middlemarch, but still a perfectly formed portrait of a community and the relationships between neighbours and family members. Silas Marner himself is a very peculiar character really, outcast from his old community, isolated in his new one, weaving and obsessing over his gold. But then he undergoes a vaguely inexplicable transformation when he accidentally adopts a young child. It's a rather lovely story, and a satisfying plot, all beautifully written. ( )