Daniel Deronda (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

Daniel Deronda - Unexpectedly good

I do not know anyone who has ever read this book and had never heard of it, but what an unexpected surprise it was. I had a hard time putting it down. Follows the lives of two main characters - Gwendolyn - who reminded me of Scarlett O'Hara and Deronda- a man with a good and genuine heart. There is also the pompous Grandcourt character you just want to punch! Great plot - will keep the pages turning. Only negative (which can easily be skipped through without missing anything)was that some of the religious philosophy of Mordecai was a bit too wordy for me. However, you will not be disappointed.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Compulsive Reading

I consider myself a fan of the nineteenth century British novel, but never have I read one as unputdownable as Daniel Deronda. Eliot mangages to craft a novel with texture as rich and complex as a Flemish tapestry, without ever slackening the pace of a riveting story. In Deronda himself she creates a hero whose unimpeachable moral integrity is balanced by a touching personal vulnerability. None of her characters, down to the members of Society who attend the balls and soirees to utter one line and be forgotten, are flat. I found Daniel Deronda to be a brilliant, evocative book, and a hugely satisfying read.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is Vol. II of a 3 Vol. story

It should be noted that this is Volume II of "Daniel Deronda", therefore it is missing the first part of the story (look for Vol. I), and I assume the end as well, since the work comes in three volumes, so you will have to find a Volume III as well if you want to finish the story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A true classic

Give yourself an opportunity to read a true classic and escape into a completely different time and place. Victorian England lays the stage as two major dramas unfold. Follow strong-willed Gwendolyn as she learns what it is that her heart really desires when she is forced to make a life-changing decision, thus realizing she is stronger than she ever imagined. Meanwhile Daniel Deronda saves a young woman from drowning and finds himself trying to unlock the mystery of her past and becomes all the more intrigued with her and the truths he uncovers. Daniel's search for truth about her past may ultimately bring him closer to knowledge of himself...Is he willing to change who he has believed himself to be all this time?

I love a novel that is smart and well thought-out. No wonder this one is a classic! Beautifully rich characters. Great story!!! LOVED IT!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A great writer's moral passion

A great writer's moral passion embraces the Zionist cause in this complex and intricate novel.If not her greatest work certainly one worth careful reading and study.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book, just as great movie.

This book is a moving, riviting, and spiritual thing. It has everything anyone is looking for in a good read. If you like the book,...buy the movie!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Satisfing and complex

Overall, an enjoyable read, and quite different from anything that I've read from the Victorian era. But first a word of caution, Eliot's writing tends to be extremely dense, and if you're looking for a fast and easy read, this is not it. Eliot may spend pages on the inner thoughts of her characters, and many readers of more contemporary fiction would find it quite dry. I'm not going to lie, I myself do prefer the more jaunty and colorful writings of authors like Dickens, but hers are far from meritless, and this book left me feeling far more intellectually satisfied, than say, after I read the works of my favourite, Dickens. This book played with my affection throughout its course. I did find Gwendolen marvelously wicked and clever in the beginning and (I hate to say it) reminded me quite a bit of myself, headstrong and determined that the world moves only for me. Though toward the end, I started to find her contriteness and moral idolization of Daniel a little annoying and repetitive. But I suppose what makes her a great character is her varying degrees of contriteness and self absorption, for after all, she did feel disgusted with her own self-centeredness. On the other hand, I would have enjoyed the book far more if the character of Daniel was a little less stoic and, like Gwendolen, possessed varying levels of good and bad, instead of being always so very morally upright, forgiving, and high-minded (Oh, I want to set out and change the world! and the like). But the part of the book that I found particularly different and was the Jewish portion. It took the reader out of the genteel English drawing rooms that normally characterize Victorian fiction, and took one inside the English-Jewish subculture (England did in fact have a large Jewish population) and their domestic lives (unlike Dickens' novels that highlight a few sleazy red-headed Jewish characters). But at times Mordecai's philosophy did become a bit wearing. Therefore my feelings fluctuated throughout the book (it did get particularly enjoyable towards the end, and was not without its comic occurrences) and in the end left me not ecstatic but fully satisfied.

Incomplete

Incomplete! It is missing the end of the story -- very frustrating

Closer to Understanding parts of My Judism

Moving disturbing,and beautifully written,as only Eliot can. At first I was in awe of the detailed Historical events,then I became so engrossed in the storyline,as well..Was read for my inperson book club,it started to become very personal for all of us.

Victorian era good read

This is a lesser known classic, but I really enjoyed it. I like George Eliot's writing style and find it very typical of that era and some of the greats. If you enjoyed Austin, or the Bronte's this is another one you will certainly enjoy.

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