#millonthefloss

[witchynichi]

We could never have loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it, if it were not the earth where the same flowers come up again every spring that we used to gather with our tiny fingers as we sat lisping to ourselves on the grass, the same hips and haws on the autumn hedgerows, the same redbreasts that we used to call ‘God’s birds’ because they did no harm to the precious crops. What novelty is worth that sweet monotony where everything is known and loved because it is known?

—by George Eliot from The Mill on the Floss

[bahareads]

A Review of Mill on the Floss. POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!

Ardent, impulsive, thirsty for knowledge, Maggie Tulliver is one of the great heroines of literature.  

George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) drew on her own anguished childhood when she depicted the stormy relationship between Maggie and Tom Tulliver. Maggie's often tormented battle to do her duty and belong on the one hand, and to be herself, wild and natural on the other, propels her from one crisis to another. As the Tulliver fortunes decline and fall, the rift between Maggie and her family becomes almost irreconcilable. But Maggie's biggest mistake of all is to fall in love with Stephen Guest who is engaged to another woman.

Both a sharp and observant picture of English rural life and profoundly convincing analysis of a woman's psychology, The Mill on the Floss is a novel that tackles the complexities of morality versus desire. 

Ah Maggie Tulliver, where to begin. I really enjoyed this book. While I loved Maggie, her father and Mrs. Moss. Tom, Mrs. Tulliver and Mrs. Tulliver's family I had a rocky relationship with. 

Mrs. Tulliver was just so all over the place but in the end she sticks with Maggie and I love her for that. Oh how I feel so sorry for her at the end of this book. 

Mrs. Tulliver's family (aka her sisters and their respective husbands.) Well her sisters were just quite annoying I really couldn't deal. 

Tom, I could understand his disgust for so&so's relationship but still I felt very vexed with him for what he did to Maggie.

Mrs. Moss, oh how good and kind an aunt, even when Maggie's reputation was tarnished she stood by her. (as well as one of her other aunts whose name I can't recall.)

Mr. Tulliver, all he wanted was the best for his "little wench" but alas twas not to be. On a side note I was quite happy when he put a beating on blankity blank though.  

Stephen, what can I say, you were willing to spur your almost fiance's love for Maggie. But Maggie perhaps for the better didn't go through and elope with you. But what would have happened if you did? The world will never know now. 

I feel soo bad for Phillip. Like I wanted to cry at the end of the book. 

Maggie was ever faithful to her brother till the end, now that's love and devotion. 

All and all the end of the book had me reeling. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. And I do suggest that you read it.