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Grant Mulligan's avatar

I just finished Silas Marner, now one of my favorite books. I searched Common Reader to see if you’d written anything on it. Of course you had, and brilliantly as usual. I felt, but hadn’t understood the fairy tale tropes. Thanks for explaining!

Also love your line, “psychology is real, even if magic isn’t.” I found myself in awe many times at how real the characters felt. Their psychology seemed so clear and beautifully expressed. The pub scene felt so accurate I could have sworn I’d been there, but with extra powers of perception provided by Eliot. Like when I go somewhere with my wife and she later recounts an exchange I was present for with a psychological subtext I had been oblivious to.

Can’t wait to read more Eliot now.

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Daniel Murphy's avatar

I started a commeht, and am not sure where it went! Now I saw, then I didn't!

Anyway, Henry, thanks for this illuminating insight about the fairy tale/mystical tropes and the clear-eyed realism.

I'm continually amazed by the exquisite descriptions of people, places, and events in Eliot.

As you point out, she is a celebrator of the ordinary and takes pains to draw out the implications of our subtle moral choices.

Thank you!!! (I must now re-read this novel!)

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