Silas Marner

By: George Eliot

Narrated by: Anna Bentinck

Here is a tale straight from the fireside. We are compelled to follow the humble and mysterious figure of the linen weaver Silas Marner, on his journey from solitude and exile to the warmth and joy of family life. His path is a strange one; when he loses his hoard of hard-earned coins all seems to be lost, but in place of the golden guineas come the golden curls of a child - and from desolate misery comes triumphant joy.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2014 Naxos AudioBooks

Too busy to read Middlemarch?

George Eliot wrote Silas Marner a decade before she undertook Middlemarch. There are several themes in SM that are also used in Middlemarch - religious fanaticism, gambling problems, horse trading, village life. But SM is definitely easier to digest if you want a taste of George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) without a huge commitment. I love her descriptions of friendship and family. She takes a deep dive into what family really means - is blood really thicker than water? I grew to love our hero in the story - Silas - in spite of his awkwardness and austistic tendencies.

Unforgettable classic

I’d never heard of this story- after listening to it, I can say from here on out I will consider it a favorite. I was a bit intimidated by some of the old language at first, but gradually adjusted to it, and am glad I didn’t abandon it for that reason. It’s a wonderful story and I highly recommend it!

With all the audio versions of Silas Marner to choose from, I would recommend this one for sure!

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves George Eliot and classic British literature, of course, but I would also recommend it to anyone who isn’t sure they will like Victorian literature, because the writing might be denser the subject matter might be up skipper. This book is neither! The writing is deeply moving and beautiful and highly observant, but it’s plenty accessible to a 20 for century reader, and the subject matter makes this book a page turner! I fell for Silas Marner himself right away… Such a special, dear and endearing character! And without giving anything away, the issues this book addresses are as relevant as they ever were. Even though Silas Marner isn’t a book for children per say, my little nine-year-old girl listen to it with me, and even if maybe she missed some of the grown-up points that went over her head, she love the story and related to it amazingly well – it is, after all, about an alternative Family, from a time when such things are virtually unheard of. And the near raider, With her clear voice and acute awareness of the characters feelings, Brings The story into living color from start to finish!

Better than anticipated

I chose to read this book to meet a reading challenge prompt and kind of expected a book I would just need to get through, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the story and appreciated how good was rewarded in the end and the bad performers got there due without a preachy tone.

Terrific narration of a classic novel.

This is a beautiful story with almost a fable-like quality to it. The possibilities of family, community, faith, industry, and class are explored here as well as the potential of love to transform and transcend them all. The journey from beginning to end is not only entertaining and thought-provoking, but heartwarming. Anna Bentinck's reading has a rich quality and draws you snugly into the tale and up to Silas' warm hearth.

likey the best book I've read

Just a wonderful book! I started reading this book with apprehension but was drawn in at once and rewarded again and again.

Wonderful Narration and Story

The narrator did a fantastic job narrating this fabulous classic! I highly recommend this version of Silas Marner.

Happy story!

What did you love best about Silas Marner?

I loved the very rustic and upbeat feel to the story. I usually don't like stories with happy endings as much, but this story was just so charming, and I loved Silas and Eppy so much!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Silas. He was a snot at the beginning but he grew to love his daughter, so I came to love him.

Have you listened to any of Anna Bentinck’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I was very curious.

Any additional comments?

I want to find another happy book that I like as much!

an inspiring story beautifully read

Would you listen to Silas Marner again? Why?

yes, hopefully with our grandchildren

What other book might you compare Silas Marner to and why?

I feel similarities in content and style to Middlemarch

Have you listened to any of Anna Bentinck’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved the scene when Mr. and Mrs. Cass came to "offer" to take Epi

Any additional comments?

I missed the beauty and inspiration of Silas when I was assigned to read this story as a young teenager.

Different Perspectives on Justice

This is a story that begins with a great injustice. The title character, Silas Marner, is framed and declared guilty of a crime he didn’t commit. He runs away to a distant village to start his life anew, but it’s an empty and lonely existence until another series of unjust acts brings him an unexpected blessing. This is the story of how Silas Marner eventually received a kind of justice—not from revenge but from an act of mercy and love. A great story for our time!