Front cover of large print edition of Silas Marner, oil painting by Swedish painter Knut Ekwall (1843-1912), titled Shoemaker with His Grandchild
This timeless classic has been a standard in English literature education since the early 1900s, and rightfully so. Silas Marner, a humble linen weaver, seeks asylum from wrong-doing at the hand of a jealous, once-trusted friend. Shunned by the only village he’d ever known, Silas isolates himself, rebuffing the friendly overtures of new neighbors. Gold becomes his only consolation until he receives the gift of true gold from a golden-haired child.
George Eliot addresses common human conditions of class distinction, religious ardor, loneliness, greed, generosity, redemptive love, acceptance, and joy. A beautiful story, told simply but powerfully, with engaging, timeless characters types, it offers us wisdom for today.
George Eliot [Mary Ann Evans] (1819–1880) was one of the leading English writers of the Victorian era. In addition to translations of theological texts, she wrote seven novels, including Adam Bede (1859) and Middlemarch (1871-1872).
How to Order
This perfect-bound large print edition of Silas Marner is 6 x 9 inches and 318 pages. It is printed on acid-free, archival quality paper. Click here to see sample pages of the interior.Click here to purchase on our secure storefront. All our books are printed to order to reduce our carbon footprint. Please allow 5 days to print plus transit time to your address. Through July 10, 2024, use coupon code ELIOT30 at checkout to receive a 30% discount on your order. Shipping in the continental US is free via USPS media mail. We also offer FedEx home delivery for expedited shipping. Email us at orders@largeprintbookco.com if you require a different shipping method.
Willa Cather first published Song of the Lark in 1915. It is one of her three novels known collectively as The Great Plains trilogy, including O Pioneers! (1913) and My Ántonia (1918), also available from The Large Print Book Company.
This large print edition of Song of the Lark, published on March 7, 2024, features 16-point type (trade books use 10- to 12-point type) and cream-colored, high bulk, acid-free paper. These features enhance visual comfort and product durability. Due to the large type, this 6″ x 9″ edition is 576 pages.
Song of the Lark describes Thea Kronborg’s development as an artist of international fame. It is set against the backdrop of the American Midwest, where Thea grows up in Moonstone, Colorado. With the support of her parents, friends, and teachers who recognize her talent, she studies music in Chicago and takes an important hiatus at the Anasazi cliff dwellings before continuing her studies abroad. As in the other volumes of The Great Plains trilogy, Cather shows the strong immigrant roots of America’s cultural growth, and her prose brings the landscape to vibrant life.
The art we feature on the cover, Song of the Lark (1884) by Jules Breton, was the inspiration for the title of Cather’s book.
Excerpts
“After the lesson they went out to join Mrs. Kohler, who had asked Thea to come early, so that she could stay and smell the linden bloom. It was one of those still days of intense light, when every particle of mica in the soil flashed like a little mirror, and the glare from the plain below seemed more intense than the rays from above. The sand ridges ran glittering gold out to where the mirage licked them up, shining and steaming like a lake in the tropics. The sky looked like blue lava, forever incapable of clouds,—a turquoise bowl that was the lid of the desert.” —pages 87-88 of our large print edition.
“She knew, of course, that there was something about her that was different. But it was more like a friendly spirit than like anything that was a part of herself. She brought everything to it, and it answered her; happiness consisted of that backward and forward movement of herself. The something came and went, she never knew how. Sometimes she hunted for it and could not find it; again, she lifted her eyes from a book, or stepped out of doors, or wakened in the morning, and it was there,— under her cheek, it usually seemed to be, or over her breast,—a kind of warm sureness. And when it was there, everything was more interesting and beautiful, even people.”—page 94 of our large print edition.
Cover art is “The True American” by Enoch Wood Perry, ca., 1897.
Missing files is one of the many mishaps in publishing. In the case of Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson, which we had published in 2005 in large print, the text file was missing but the cover was not. So I took the opportunity to re-typeset it and open up the leading for better readability. Of course, proofreading followed. And, having done that, I realized the art on the old cover, Grant Wood’s American Gothic, did not do it justice. By some miracle of the internet, Enoch Wood Perry’s work came to the rescue. This wonderful painting is at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Anderson vs. Hemingway
I had never read Sherwood Anderson before. When I mentioned this to a friend, Ernest Hemingway came up, as if reading one excluded reading the other. Honestly, I never could warm up to Hemingway. So when I heard the comparison, I was concerned I would have to suffer through Winesburg, Ohio.
While Hemingway is direct and minimal in his descriptions and focused on action and dialog, Anderson focuses on character exposition. Yet, in spite of his penetrating view of each person in Winesburg, Ohio, Anderson leaves us wondering. What goes on between a person’s inner life and outer actions remains a mystery. In that liminal space seem to reside much more hope and possibility than Hemingway could imply—to me, at least.
Innovatively Grotesque
In its time of original publication in 1919, Winesburg, Ohio was innovative in its use of the short-story cycle within the novel format. The linchpin character in the stories is George Willard. He grows up and leaves Winesburg during the chronological arc of the tales. The stories themselves are not in a linear time order. Because of this, you may want, like I did, to reread and map out the connections in each story. George is there, in some way, in each person’s tale. Yet, each person is isolated by a truth that they cannot escape, release, or fully express, rendering them “grotesque.” Where is the hope and possibility in this sort of entrapment? It is in acceptance. Some things are just ineffable, and no matter how gifted we may be in describing them, they elude us.
Anderson discovered a way to write about his own life without making it all about him and thereby distilled a heady draught of human nature into these tales. It is a masterwork of early modernist literature and among the top 500 all-time best works of classic literature.
Classic literature is more approachable for a wider variety of readers when it is presented in large print. Extra space between words and lines seems to give us more mental space for the complexity of ideas and linguistic beauty found in the classics. Large print books make these treasures more accessible to:
Exercisers – If you don’t like earphones while exercising, a large print book could be the solution!
Gifted AND struggling readers – Large print assists children who are ready to move from story books to chapter books. With decreased word count on a page, accomplishment grows as the pages fly by. People with dyslexia report it’s easier for them to read.
Teachers and caregivers – The spacing in large print helps teachers and parents or caregivers to keep eye contact with students and children while reading aloud.
English language learners and new readers – Wider spacing between lines and larger words make it easier to point to words, helping readers to see and pronounce syllables.
Family members of elders – Shared reading with our elders helps them stay engaged with life, while providing opportunities to reminisce and share their knowledge and experiences.
Digitally weary humans – When it comes time to read a book for pleasure, after a day at work in front of a screen, our eyes can be too tired to focus on the typical 10-point text in a trade book.
So, who needs large print? Everyone!
Six Ways Classic Literature Enriches Us
In a world dominated by trending topics and viral content, the timeless appeal of classic literature might seem overshadowed. However, delving into works by the literary giants of the past can be a transformative and enriching experience.
Cultural Time Travel
Classic literature serves as a time machine, transporting us to different eras and societies. Through the eyes of authors like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, or F. Scott Fitzgerald, readers can explore historical contexts, societal norms, and the intricate details of daily life in bygone times. This cultural time travel fosters a deeper understanding of human evolution and societal progress.
Universal Themes and Timeless Relevance
Classic literature tackles universal themes that resonate across generations: love, betrayal, ambition, and human nature are timeless subjects that transcend time and space. The enduring relevance of these themes ensures that classic works remain relatable, providing readers with insights into the human condition that are as applicable today as they were centuries ago.
Language Mastery and Linguistic Richness
Classic literature often showcases unparalleled linguistic mastery. The prose of authors like William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, or Leo Tolstoy is a testament to the beauty and power of language. Reading classic literature exposes readers to a rich tapestry of words, enhancing vocabulary, and an appreciation for the subtleties of language.
Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills
Often demanding a more attentive reading, the intricate plots, complex characters, and layered narratives of classic literature encourage readers to analyze the text on a deeper level. This intellectual engagement sharpens critical thinking and encourages thoughtful exploration of the human psyche.
Cultural Literacy and Allusions
Many modern works, from literature to film and music, draw inspiration from or make direct references to classic texts. Reading these foundational works fosters readers’ cultural literacy, enabling a deeper understanding and appreciation of contemporary art and media.
Character Development and Moral Reflection
Classic literature is known for its profound exploration of character development and moral dilemmas. The complex and multifaceted characters that populate these works often serve as mirrors reflecting the intricacies of human nature. Engaging with the moral dilemmas faced by characters allows readers to reflect on their own values and beliefs.
In a world that celebrates the ephemeral, classic literature is a testament to the enduring power of words and ideas. By reading the timeless works of literary masters, we embark on a journey that transcends time and culture. The intellectual engagement fostered by classic literature contributes to a more profound and meaningful understanding of the world and ourselves. The Large Print Book Company is dedicated to providing keys to unlock the timeless truths that unite us.
