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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Despite being slow-paced and quite a dense read at times (typically towards the end of chapters where Eliot often gives a mini philosophical essay, which whilst interesting can be hard to understand), I enjoyed this. It felt as though almost nothing had or was happening until the end of the book, which suddenly becomes more narrative driven, although at that point I realised I had inadvertently built up a real affinity and interest in the characters, so that is definitely to the writing’s credit. It’s genuinely funny and thought-provoking in places too, and even the parts that descend into what I’d call melodramatic romance are enjoyable as obviously being typical of the time. It’s generally a bleak book from the outset though with little reprieve throughout. Well worth a read for anyone interested in older literature though. As an aside, I read the 80-year old copy that my grandfather gifted to my great-aunt one wartime Christmas according to the message on the inside cover. So an extra bit of sentiment for me with this one, particularly given the themes of sibling relationships and family throughout the book.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve been picking this up and putting it back down again for months now. I’m really glad I stuck with it, and not just for the satisfaction in finishing it. It’s long and so so boring, but equally incredibly powerful, and has all the precision you’d expect from Eliot. I do hate basically everyone in this (except Bob I love Bob)
Striking reminder of how little time we get to overthink nowadays. Give Maggie Tulliver a few Instagram reels and none of this book would’ve happened. The 1860s must’ve been rough
Striking reminder of how little time we get to overthink nowadays. Give Maggie Tulliver a few Instagram reels and none of this book would’ve happened. The 1860s must’ve been rough
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Holy smokes, George! When it comes to sharpness of observations about the dynamics between people (siblings, parents and children, lovers) in small situations, she is unmatched. The Mill on the Floss follows the Tulliver family over the course of about ten years as mother, father, son, and daughter face the indignities of losing, regaining, and losing face in a small, rural community. Eliot so captures the frustrations of small-town life for the daughter, Maggie, my heart was pounding for her, especially in the final 200 pages. The drama! The angst! The romance! The close-mindedness of women! The stupidity of men! And yet, all of these characters are sympathetic as Eliot captures the generational pressures that shape their outlook. Exceedingly good stuff. So beautifully written. It can't quite compare to Middlemarch, but what can?
Ultimately, pretty forgettable for me, despite recalling the characters behaving annoyingly, but rooted in solid psychology. Like watching a train wreck. You’d think I would remember it for that, but beyond the great prose work, the story as a whole felt like the kind of thing I’ve consumed a million times.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this for school, so not rating. I see what value and purpose it has as a classic and in academics. However, I was bored for much of it, until the last little bit where there's some romance drama and then a bit of an unexpected ending. I also appreciated the writing for what it was, very detailed and thorough, but generally well done.
Such a lot to of book and so well filled. It starts quite prosaic and mundane. It’s like overhearing a group of tattling woman natter inanely about bonnets, little girls’ unruly hair and keeping their linen white, while their menfolk listen on. I wasn’t sure that I could keep going for 500+ pages. But thankfully it started to develop and got interesting.
The characters are fascinating and rich and the storyline is gentle and intriguing. It’s without the usual twists and sudden turns in contemporary literature, rather it undulates and swirls gently as the epic tale unfolds. Except maybe the ending, which is a marvellous ending.
The characters are fascinating and rich and the storyline is gentle and intriguing. It’s without the usual twists and sudden turns in contemporary literature, rather it undulates and swirls gently as the epic tale unfolds. Except maybe the ending, which is a marvellous ending.