An outwardly simple tale of a linen weaver, Silas Marner is notable for its strong realism and its sophisticated treatment of a variety of issues ranging from religion to industrialization to community.Eliot's third novel is a powerful and moving tale about one man's journey from exile and loneliness to the warmth and joy of the family.

Both a rich moral drama and an evocative reading experience, Silas Marner remains one of Eliot's best-loved works.