Daniel Deronda

Another excellent book by George Eliot (aka Mary Ann Evans). She is one of my very favorite authors. Like all of her books, this one has great characters. This book excels in character development, exquisite plot turnings and details, and a very unusual storyline.

Themes in Gwendolen’s young, naive, selfish, beautiful life (singing, gambling, willful independence) are revealed in their logical conclusion by other persons appearing in Daniel’s life. Daniel is to Gwendolen exactly everything she could not find (and indeed did not look for) in everyone else, who only valued her for her outward charms and whom she manipulated to get what she wanted. Eliot carries Daniel successfully through the story with his virtuous, sensitive, wise, but lovable and believable character intact. Gwendolen, beyond all expectation, finally learns, grows and changes. Some of the most intense character development that I’ve ever read, and could really engage with and relate to. I guess that means it’s realistic?