This version of the book has been reviewed in English(42) by readers.
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What are readers saying about Daniel Deronda Library Edition?
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Xingxing posted a review at 2009-11-06 20:33:10.
(Language: English)
  
As a devout fan of the author, I must admit that I was quite disappointed by this book. George Eliot seems to be exploring new realms in this book--the abundance of mysticism in this book is quite distinct from her other books--and, unfortunately, fails. Such idealized, one-dimensional characters as Mordecai and Mirah belong to Dickens, who has sufficient irony and shrewdness to make them interesting; as Eliot's creations, they are immensely insipid and unconvincing. As for the Jewish Question in this book, the less said the better. Gwendolen is a lovely creation, but her story also takes a downward turn after her marriage to Grandcourt. The temptation that leads her to marry Grandcourt is vintage George Eliot in its realism and intensity; the so-called "temptation" after her marriage is rather melodramatic and, again, best left to Dickens. Compare to the description of Dorothea's marriage to Casaubon in "Middlemarch", and one can see that George Eliot really has taken a big dip in this book.
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Michael posted a review at 2009-10-29 08:03:39.
(Language: English)
This wonderful and unusual novel follows the personal odyssey of its main character as he journeys from uncertainty about his parentage to a realisation of and commitment to larger concerns. Knowing what we now do about the violent robbing of Palestine from its people, and all its subsequent troubles, I couldn’t help feeling slightly uncomfortable about this book’s sympathetic treatment of Zionism. But Eliot couldn’t have foreseen the atrocities of the last sixty years, and her sympathy clearly stemmed from the persecution and prejudice that the Jews themselves had suffered over many centuries. Besides, the Zionist aspect is portrayed movingly through the lives and experiences of some very likeable characters, rather than making abstract political statements. Even more moving, for me, is the interweaved and parallel story of Gwendolyn, whose journey of self-discovery is so much more painful than Deronda’s. Her transformation from ‘the spoiled child’ to a woman of growing understanding and a desire to live as a better person is especially touching in the book’s final pages. And Deronda himself is a catalyst for her changes, just as Ezra is for the development of his own sense of purpose in life. The interweaving of these two stories is very clever, and ultimately very moving, with a satisfying ending, despite the two lead characters’ future lives being left ‘open’. Of all Eliot’s novels, I love ‘Middlemarch’ the most, but think this may also be one of her best.
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Mike posted a review at 2009-04-13 10:00:52.
(Language: English)
Eliot's last novel is quite a surprise! At first, it seems classic Eliot - a headstrong heroine makes an unhappy marriage. As a big fan of Mill on the Floss and Middlemarch, I felt I was on pretty familiar ground. Then, about a third of the way into it -- Jews! Lots and lots of Jews. The hero, Daniel, finds himself on an errand in the Jewish section of London, and becomes increasingly drawn to its residents and their culture. Now, Jews rarely appear in Victorian fiction, and when they do, it's as thieves, moneylenders, or sinister international bankers. What a surprise to find a variety of Jewish characters - booksellers, jewelers, scholars - all going about their business, celebrating the Sabbath, going to synagogue, etc. They are not all saints, of course, but that only makes their depiction more realistic. As the book progresses, and Daniel becomes more enlightened to his cultural identity, Eliot keeps upping the ante by introducing Kabbalism, and even Zionism, to the mix. While this novel doesn't share the perfection of Middlemarch, it is a thrill to read, and a wonder to see a great author, at the end of her career, pushing herself into thoroughly uncharted territories.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-03-24 21:36:14.
(Language: English)
Took me over 300 pages to get into this story, and then only slightly so. A real letdown b/c _Middlemarch_ is one of my faves.
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A reader posted a review at 2008-10-31 09:04:07.
(Language: English)
I give up. I can't do it anymore. I still have 200 pages left and I am going to have to quit. Depressing and way too much gobbledy-gook. I'm over it. It's gonna be a looong winter! ...pretty good so far. Kind of the usual slow-rambling Victorian, but Eliot's prose is exceptionally challenging. poop
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A reader posted a review at 2008-10-16 18:09:33.
(Language: English)
I found it a chore to read this book. It's taken me months of putting it down to read something else before forcing myself to pick it back up and attempt to finish it. There's not really much I can actually critique about it though. Except for the fact that, along with Middlemarch, I felt Eliot to be unnecessarily wordy. It's almost like she's trying to appear clever (perhaps throw off the scent of being a female?) by expanding on and comparing thoughts and dragging on the story much slower than need be. The story itself didn't strike any cords with me which is probably the main issue. I didn't have the same chore reading Middlemarch, but the story engaged me more in that instance even though I felt it still unnecessarily wordy.
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A reader posted a review at 2008-09-21 17:50:05.
(Language: English)
5 stars, I have a crush on Daniel.
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A reader posted a review at 2008-09-08 18:44:01.
(Language: English)
I've never identified with any character as much as the eponymous hero of this novel. I read this the year I got engaged and the parallels with my life were just scary; like Bastion in the Neverending Story honestly. Add to that the fact it is a mesmerising, groundbreaking novel that spans centuries and continents. It just blew me away at every level.
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Jonna posted a review at 2008-09-04 08:36:27.
(Language: English)
Probably most meanigful to people in my situation.
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