Great review without spoilers, Kim. Of course, now I want the one WITH spoilers :) A few random thoughts: both Dinah and Hetty are nieces of Mr & Mrs Poyser; they are an interesting contrast in that way. I thought the contrast between the two "religious" people, Mr Irwine and Dinah, was well done. They are different, but Eliot shows both with compassion and humanity; Mr Irwine is not the judgmental cleric you would expect. If you ever get to read Jenny Uglow's biography of Eliot, her chapter on Adam Bede is fantastic. She points out how Eliot's books have a "counterpoint" structure, commenting on "prose vs. poetry, reason vs. imagination, and science vs. art." Uglow finds that Adam vs. Seth is an example of prose vs. poetry. Mini-spoiler ahead: also, you quoted Dickens, and it's interesting how Eliot is so unlike Dickens, in that there is not a truly "bad" person in this book; people have human flaws and can sometimes make poor decisions, but there are no completely evil persons like Uriah Heep in David Copperfield or Bill Sykes in Oliver Twist.
Yes, both nieces; the biggest difference is that Hetty is Mr. Poyser's niece and Dinah is Mrs. Poyser's niece. That mean Hetty has more standing because she's the niece of the man. Patriarchal lineage. I have several Eliot biographies but not that one. I'll keep an eye out! And yes, the contrast with Dickens is striking. Eliot's characters seem more rounded out and realistic, where Dickens' characters are archetypes and more simplistic. Spoilery review? Not here. :):):)
Great review, just enough to get people to want to read it. In the intro of the edition I had, there was a recommendation to read Elizabeth Gaskell's Ruth for a similar theme and so now I think it would be fun to read that.
I finally got to watch this all the way through. Lovely review. You know I share your feelings about the novel. I like your reflection on the ending. Not a neat happy ending but the reality of having to get on life.
I’m dying for you to read Pillars of the Earth! Some of the themes sound familiar to GE and I think you would really appreciate that piece of literature even in its own.
I just started Adam Bede today based on your high praise 🙂 This is my first Eliot novel and am really looking forward to reading it this month. Cheers!
Great review! I have never read any of George Elliott's novels, I don't know but somehow I am intimidated by her, but you get me intrigued by Adam Bede, I will try to start with this one. Thanks Kim for your review 😊
Yep, I always think that intros to classics should be afterwards. LOl, pseudonymously what a word to try to say :) One day I really must read George Elliot, and after this video soon rather than later.
Great review without spoilers, Kim. Of course, now I want the one WITH spoilers :) A few random thoughts: both Dinah and Hetty are nieces of Mr & Mrs Poyser; they are an interesting contrast in that way. I thought the contrast between the two "religious" people, Mr Irwine and Dinah, was well done. They are different, but Eliot shows both with compassion and humanity; Mr Irwine is not the judgmental cleric you would expect. If you ever get to read Jenny Uglow's biography of Eliot, her chapter on Adam Bede is fantastic. She points out how Eliot's books have a "counterpoint" structure, commenting on "prose vs. poetry, reason vs. imagination, and science vs. art." Uglow finds that Adam vs. Seth is an example of prose vs. poetry. Mini-spoiler ahead: also, you quoted Dickens, and it's interesting how Eliot is so unlike Dickens, in that there is not a truly "bad" person in this book; people have human flaws and can sometimes make poor decisions, but there are no completely evil persons like Uriah Heep in David Copperfield or Bill Sykes in Oliver Twist.
Yes, both nieces; the biggest difference is that Hetty is Mr. Poyser's niece and Dinah is Mrs. Poyser's niece. That mean Hetty has more standing because she's the niece of the man. Patriarchal lineage. I have several Eliot biographies but not that one. I'll keep an eye out! And yes, the contrast with Dickens is striking. Eliot's characters seem more rounded out and realistic, where Dickens' characters are archetypes and more simplistic. Spoilery review? Not here. :):):)
Great review! Can’t wait to finish it
Great review, just enough to get people to want to read it. In the intro of the edition I had, there was a recommendation to read Elizabeth Gaskell's Ruth for a similar theme and so now I think it would be fun to read that.
Thank you!
I finally got to watch this all the way through. Lovely review. You know I share your feelings about the novel. I like your reflection on the ending. Not a neat happy ending but the reality of having to get on life.
I’m dying for you to read Pillars of the Earth! Some of the themes sound familiar to GE and I think you would really appreciate that piece of literature even in its own.
I just started Adam Bede today based on your high praise 🙂 This is my first Eliot novel and am really looking forward to reading it this month. Cheers!
Oh I hope you like it!!! 🥰🥰🥰
First! Chef's kiss review. Excited for the next one.
Great review! I have never read any of George Elliott's novels, I don't know but somehow I am intimidated by her, but you get me intrigued by Adam Bede, I will try to start with this one.
Thanks Kim for your review 😊
It’s a really beautiful novel and would be a great start! 🥰
Non-spoiler review appreciated, Kim! Great novel I hope to read it soon. Stay safe and sound!!😊📚🙋♀️
Thanks for doing a non spoiler review. I’m really looking forward to reading this book and am waiting for my copy to arrive.
Thank you so much!! I can hardly wait to read this Eliot!
Yep, I always think that intros to classics should be afterwards. LOl, pseudonymously what a word to try to say :) One day I really must read George Elliot, and after this video soon rather than later.
I hope you do! 🥰
Your comments about spoiling classics are spot-on! There are SO MANY, of course it's possible to spoil people!
Hey Kim, I'm trying to find the "revised" Eliot schedule for the rest of the year...I only see your original video.
The only difference is that May is Silas Marner and all of the other books move down 1. I can post another one this weekend.
I downloaded the version narrated by Georgina Sutton. I should get through half on tomorrow's drive. Barack can wait for the drive back home in June.
Let me know how that audio is. My favorite classics narrator is Juliet Stevenson!!! :)
@@MIDDLEoftheBookMARCH hoopla has several. I went to audible to listen to samples and this was the best of three IMO.