Silas Marner (with an Introduction by Esther Wood)

The story centers on Silas Marner, a linen weaver who, after being wrongfully accused and abandoned, isolates himself in a rural village, obsessively hoarding gold. His life takes a transformative turn when he discovers a young girl, Eppie, abandoned by her mother. Silas adopts her, finding newfound purpose and joy despite his previous losses. The narrative explores themes of human relationships, religion, societal customs, and the effects of industrialization in 19th-century England, all conveyed with remarkable realism.