chars_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
maekay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alba_1994's review
4.0
In the middle it gave me a bit of Mary Barton deja vu, but that was soon forgotten. This story produced a beautiful and tragic heroine that in my mind could easily drink a cup of tea with Jane Eyre.
rachelb36's review against another edition
3.0
This was just okay. While Eliot certainly can write, and I liked the insights into human nature and personalities that she included, I didn't particularly like the story or any of the characters.
I felt the author was a bit harsh when it came to the character of Tom, painting him as only terribly selfish and immature, with very little redeeming qualities; when it came to Maggie, she was too merciful, making her out to be a wonderful person even when she acted completely thoughtlessly, just because she "had a good heart." Since I learned this account was somewhat autobiographical for the author, based on her turbulent relationship with her own brother, this made sense, but didn't make for an objective story.
There were multiple love triangles (which always make me roll my eyes), and the ending was very abrupt and ridiculous. It just felt like a cop-out.
However, I did like some of it, and here are a few quotes in particular that struck me:
"...conscientious people are apt to see their duty in that which is the most painful course..." p 587
"There is something sustaining in the very agitation that accompanies the first shocks of trouble, just as an acute pain is often a stimulus, and produces an excitement which is transient strength. It is in the slow, changed life that follows - in the time when sorrow has become stale, and has no longer an emotive intensity that counteracts its pain - in the time when day follows day in dull unexpectant sameness, and trial is a dreary routine - it is then that despair threatens; it is then that the peremptory hunger of the soul is felt, and eye and ear are strained after some unlearned secret of our existence, which shall give to endurance the nature of satisfaction." p 313
I felt the author was a bit harsh when it came to the character of Tom, painting him as only terribly selfish and immature, with very little redeeming qualities; when it came to Maggie, she was too merciful, making her out to be a wonderful person even when she acted completely thoughtlessly, just because she "had a good heart." Since I learned this account was somewhat autobiographical for the author, based on her turbulent relationship with her own brother, this made sense, but didn't make for an objective story.
There were multiple love triangles (which always make me roll my eyes), and the ending was very abrupt and ridiculous. It just felt like a cop-out.
However, I did like some of it, and here are a few quotes in particular that struck me:
"...conscientious people are apt to see their duty in that which is the most painful course..." p 587
"There is something sustaining in the very agitation that accompanies the first shocks of trouble, just as an acute pain is often a stimulus, and produces an excitement which is transient strength. It is in the slow, changed life that follows - in the time when sorrow has become stale, and has no longer an emotive intensity that counteracts its pain - in the time when day follows day in dull unexpectant sameness, and trial is a dreary routine - it is then that despair threatens; it is then that the peremptory hunger of the soul is felt, and eye and ear are strained after some unlearned secret of our existence, which shall give to endurance the nature of satisfaction." p 313
k_yle_f's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nataliewollen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Incredibly emotional and absorbing- Maggie is an excellent protagonist, I loved her and felt for her throughout. The book is sort of split into two parts, with the first half being sort of comedic and the second half being tragic.
suzw13's review
Interesting plot that centers around love and forgiveness of character flaws, loyalty, duty.
I read this as a sophomore in high school. Now, almost 40 years later, I found the paper I wrote about it--I said I liked the book. Setting: St Oggs, a town in England located at the junction of two rivers. Main family is the Tulliver, older brother Tom and younger sister Maggie. Tom is conscientious and honorable, but harsh to wrongdoers. Maggie adores him but does she cannot live up to his expectations. Water is symbolic--Maggie's personal life is swept along as if caught up in moving water. Tom is still and calm, like a pond. The tension of the plot revolves around the impetuous Maggie who has drama in her love for three very different men. She loves her older brother Tom, but life pulls them apart. She has two romantic interests, but they are complicated by a family feud and impropriety. In the end, a flood threatens all. Maggie gets a boat and is able to rescue Tom. The boat is hit by floating debris and they both die "in each other's arms." I wrote at the end of my high school paper, "The most important theme, however, is that it is never too late to make amends for a wrong. Maggie was constantly repenting from mistakes. Even though people did not always accept her on the same grounds as before she made the mistake, repenting made it easier to accept herself. No conflict has to last forever. No matter how bad it is, something can be done."
I read this as a sophomore in high school. Now, almost 40 years later, I found the paper I wrote about it--I said I liked the book. Setting: St Oggs, a town in England located at the junction of two rivers. Main family is the Tulliver, older brother Tom and younger sister Maggie. Tom is conscientious and honorable, but harsh to wrongdoers. Maggie adores him but does she cannot live up to his expectations. Water is symbolic--Maggie's personal life is swept along as if caught up in moving water. Tom is still and calm, like a pond. The tension of the plot revolves around the impetuous Maggie who has drama in her love for three very different men. She loves her older brother Tom, but life pulls them apart. She has two romantic interests, but they are complicated by a family feud and impropriety. In the end, a flood threatens all. Maggie gets a boat and is able to rescue Tom. The boat is hit by floating debris and they both die "in each other's arms." I wrote at the end of my high school paper, "The most important theme, however, is that it is never too late to make amends for a wrong. Maggie was constantly repenting from mistakes. Even though people did not always accept her on the same grounds as before she made the mistake, repenting made it easier to accept herself. No conflict has to last forever. No matter how bad it is, something can be done."
muuske's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ben_martizz's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars
"in death they were not divided"
They surely were not divided. The Tulliver Siblings' love for each other is just there real and pure.
The mill on the floss is my first classic novel to have read and second t finish. What a writer you are George Eliot. She had written great societal commentaries in the book that were some modern. She portrays Maggie's feminity and being woman in her time in such profound and emotionally packed words.
This book have made me feel love, anger, and sadness and many more of emotions.
I didn't know anything nor expected anything when I started reading this, and I thank myself for that. I think, If one should read this, they should not expect and let the story flow itself. I have read this for 3 months and it made me more attached to the characters. A slow read for a slow paced book.
What a good classic novel to start.
(I AM NOW CRYING INSIDE SINCE THAT ENDING WAS SO UNEXPECTED)
"in death they were not divided"
They surely were not divided. The Tulliver Siblings' love for each other is just there real and pure.
The mill on the floss is my first classic novel to have read and second t finish. What a writer you are George Eliot. She had written great societal commentaries in the book that were some modern. She portrays Maggie's feminity and being woman in her time in such profound and emotionally packed words.
This book have made me feel love, anger, and sadness and many more of emotions.
I didn't know anything nor expected anything when I started reading this, and I thank myself for that. I think, If one should read this, they should not expect and let the story flow itself. I have read this for 3 months and it made me more attached to the characters. A slow read for a slow paced book.
What a good classic novel to start.
(I AM NOW CRYING INSIDE SINCE THAT ENDING WAS SO UNEXPECTED)
vauseee's review against another edition
4.0
I feel so betrayed by this book, it would have been 5 stars if it hadn’t broken my heart in the last few pages.