Adam Bede - (1859) | 
pickI loved this novel! I did an immersive read and it took so long! And certainly there were parts that were meandering but I loved the story and I felt so much for all the characters! This is my first GE novel, and she is so good at making you feel drawn towards the humanity of her characters, even through their sins and foibles, the compassion of the narrator made for such a gentle and enjoyable read!
“The secret of our emotions never lies in the bare object, but in its subtle relations to our own past: no wonder the secret escapes the unsympathizing observer, who might as well put on his spectacles to discern odours.“
I was having a hard time in the audio format keeping track of the characters and storyline. The author‘s style can be a bit meandering, if I might take the liberty of a mild criticism so early in the book. So I‘m now switching to an immersive read, following the audio along with the print, and both formats are available to me through Amazon/Audible for no additional charges. I‘m enjoying it and I‘m glad I did this!
Ok well, I didn‘t know the main characters were sexy Scottish men, so I‘m much more optimistic on this book at the moment. 🍆🏴
This book was recommended by Judith Shulevitz on Ezra Klein‘s pod. The discussion was about practicing the Sabbath (highly recommend btw if you aren‘t listening to Ezra Klein you are really missing out) which I subsequently became quite curious about. I will confess to both bailing on Middlemarch and being intimidated by the length of this book, but I am giving it a go as my weekend audio book while I master baking scones. 💜
pickPart 2 of my top books of the year! See any of your favorites on my list?
What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life--to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?
I'm not saying Jane Austen isn't great. I'm just saying that George Eliot did everything that Austen did great better, and more people would recognize that if Colin Firth had played Adam Bede or Daniel Deronda instead of Mr. Darcy.
I'm loving this one. It reminds me a lot of Tess of the D'ubervilles and The Return of the Native.
Falsehood is so easy, truth so difficult....Examine your words well, and you will find that even when you have no motive to be false, it is a very hard thing to say the exact truth, even about your own immediate feelings -- much harder than to say something fine about them which is not the exact truth.
I'm not saying George Eliot is the greatest author of the 19th century (I'm partial to Mark Twain, myself), but I am saying the I never understand when people say that Jane Austen is their favorite.
I mean, I like Jane Austen fine, but I feel like everything Austen is good at, Eliot is better at, right from her #debutnovel Adam Bede. #booktober
Old book of the day. Collins Illustrated Pocket Classsic. The leather binding is soft, supple, rich, and oh so very lush!!! Gifted as a courtesy prize in 1925 at Wykeham School
