Adam Bede - George Eliot

Date of Reading: 01/07/2007

Author: George Eliot

Publisher: Collier Books

Place: New York

Year: 1962

          Why do some writers use tough words? Do they think harder the work, then greater is the enjoyment? I don't agree, and it is hard to imagine George Eliot was living in the same age of Dickens. I won't recommend this novel even to a classic lover, but as it is read , a review is to be written.

          Setting is 18th century England. Adam Bede, the carpenter, lives in the village of Hayslope with brother Seth and mother Lisbeth. He is attracted to the charming Hetty Sorrel of Hall Farm, who in turn has her eyes on the young squire Arthur Donnithorene. But a marriage is unthinkable due to the difference in their social status. Dinah Morris, Hetty's cousin, is the other important female character; she is a Methodist preacher.

          When Adam finds out the relation between Arthur and Hetty, Arthur is compelled to flee to join the army; he leaves a letter for Hetty explaining the ridiculousness of their situation, on the insistence of Adam. Hetty is now left with no other choice but to marry Adam. The bomb drops when she is found pregnant; she flees home and abandons the child after its birth. The child dies of exposure, Hetty is tried for child murder and is sentenced to death. Dinah becomes her only consolation. Arthur when he comes on his uncle's death, manages to have the sentence commuted to transportation. But damage is already done and he returns to army.

          Adam and Dinah marry and they have two children; story ends when Arthur comes back after nine years.

          Story may sound good, but the narration is quite dry. Adam is not a lovable character and Dinah comes from the cult of immaculate ladies who exist only in ideas, and consequently doesn't seem real.

Also by the same author:

MILL ON THE FLOSS
SILAS MARNER