The result of the latest Classics Club Spin has been revealed today.
The idea of the Spin was to list twenty books from my Classics Club list, number them 1 to 20, and the number announced by the Classics Club represents the book I have to read before 1st June 2020. The number that has been selected is…
6
And this means the book I need to read is…
Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
Gwendolen Harleth gambles her happiness when she marries a sadistic aristocrat for his money. Beautiful, neurotic, and self-centred, Gwendolen is trapped in an increasingly destructive relationship, and only her chance encounter with the idealistic Deronda seems to offer the hope of a brighter future. Deronda is searching for a vocation, and in embracing the Jewish cause he finds one that is both visionary and life-changing. Damaged by their pasts, and alienated from the society around them, they must both discover the values that will give their lives meaning.
I have to admit, this was not one of the books on my list that I was particularly wishing for; I had hoped for something shorter and lighter. Still, I’ve enjoyed everything else I’ve read by George Eliot so I’m not too unhappy with this result. If you’ve read it, let me know what you thought!
She Reads Novels 
I’ll be interested to find out how you get on with this. I must confess, it took me a little while to warm to it, as the difference in tone between the two strands jarred slightly, and as a whole, I was more invested in one over the other, but I’m sure you will find things to ponder and enjoy.
I find that often happens when a novel has two strands – one tends to be more interesting than the other. I’m looking forward to reading it anyway, to see what I think of it.
Good luck! I can’t actually remember if I’ve read this or not, although I have a copy and read some George Eliot back in the day – so I’m sorry not to be of much more help…. š¦
Thank you š It’s difficult to remember everything we read before we started blogging, isn’t it!
There was a very good TV version of this a few years ago, and I’ve been meaning to read the book. Erk – Google says that the TV series was 18 years ago!!
I can vaguely remember it being on, but don’t think I watched it. I obviously missed out!
I thought I had read this one back in the year dot, but I can’t remember for sure and the cover isn’t bringing back any memories, nor is the blurb. I got an easy read which is only loosely a classic – Summer Half by Angela Thirkell, perfect reading for now though.
Summer Half sounds like a good result! I hope you enjoy it.
I’ve not read it, but will look forward to hearing your thoughts on it – enjoy!
Thanks. I hope I’m able to give a good report!
Oh, I hope you like it. I got Challenge by Vita Sackville-West.
I hope you enjoy it. I still haven’t read anything by Vita Sackville-West.
Neither have I, but I”m always hearing about her, so I put her on my list.
I really enjoyed this Eliot novel and I hope that you do too! I’m reading The Mill on the Floss at the moment and am having a little trouble getting into it, but I do love Eliot so I’m sure it will pick up. Have fun reading!
I often find Eliot’s books hard to get into – I had to start Middlemarch two or three times – but I always enjoy them in the end. I hope The Mill on the Floss picks up for you soon.
I’ve not read it. I have mixed feelings about George Eliot as although I loved Middlemarch and I enjoyed Silas Marner (after a slow start) and The Mill on the Floss, despite some long, rambling passages, I wasn’t that keen on Adam Bede.
I have read and enjoyed the same three that you’ve mentioned, as well as Romola, but haven’t read Adam Bede yet. I nearly put it on my Classics Club list instead of Daniel Deronda – I’m glad I didn’t now!
Absolutely my favourite George Eliot! Iām going to be so interested in what you make of it.
I’m pleased to hear this is your favourite. I do have high hopes for it as I’ve enjoyed all the other books I’ve read by Eliot.
This is one of the few George Eliot books I haven’t read. So I’ll be very interested to hear your thoughts on it. Happy reading! š
Thank you! I hope it’s a good one.
I haven’t read this one, but you can’t go wrong with GE and the t.v. series is fantastic!
I didn’t see the TV series – it sounds as though I missed out! I agree that you can’t really go wrong with George Eliot, so I’m looking forward to starting this book.
The motto of one of my reading groups is “take a chance on a book.” I have not made it into any of Eliot’s books though I still mean to conquer those beginning chapters! Good luck.
Her books can be difficult to get into. I started reading Middlemarch two or three times and gave up before I finally finished it and loved it.