Deep in the country. (The Mill on the Floss - George Eliot)

Member Name: blackviolets

Product:	The Mill on the Floss - George Eliot
Date:	15/09/09 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: shows obvious difference in the Victorian era, descriptive of the people & places.

Disadvantages: bit of a slow beginning.

This is the first George Eliot book that I've read and the only reason I even bothered to pick it up was because it was in the Classics section of our library. You find all sorts of hidden gems in their and this was no acception.

George Eliot was the pen name of Mary Anne, who took on the use of a male name like a lot female authors did in the Victorian era was well known for setting her novels in the rural countryside. She wrote a great amount of work including poetry and has had a good deal of her novels being translated for other countries to enjoy.

The Mill on the Floss does not appear to be one of these despite the fact that it is mentioned in an Agatha Christie novel and has had a TV adaption made.

Maggie Tulliver clearly adores her brother although he doesn't always reciprocate the feelings. This is not the only strong relationship we see her in as her attentions are turned towards her cousins fiance. Who unfortunately also feels the same way. The book deals with all kinds of other problems concerning the loss of the Tullivers business and the likelihood of living in poverty along with the natural clashes between the male and dominant characters.

When her love persuades her to sail off with him in a boat her reputation is ruined and only disaster can occur in the next coming years of her life. One which everyone seems to regret.

This is a very good insight into the different classes which existed in the 1820s. George Eliot has given such an obvious view as to how the rich lived it is easy to decide who you should sympathise with. Whilst Maggie and her older brother live in a nice estate, other members of the family must reside in poorer establishments yet seem to be able to make the most out of what they have been given.

One thing I like about this book is how descriptive it is. In a lot of modern novels the details of people and places are only given a few lines whilst in The Mill on the Floss you can clearly see the wealthiness of characters when mentioning the clothes they wear. Or the areas of the countryside, the woods nearby with a worn out bridge and river.

The characters themselves are easy to determine as to what their personalities are like. Maggie Tulliver, though clever is a very spoilt girl who craves affections from those around her. When she requires some attention or is scoulded (in her opinion unfairly) Maggie resorts to anything to be the centre of all that is going on. Sometimes however, this does have a reverse effect.

Her brother Tom is scornful of her, possibly down to the fact that she does know a great deal more than him and is continually praised and admired for this talent.

This book brings to life some of the troubles which poorer or wealthy people might have had to face up to. It's interesting to see how Eliot has portrayed the land they live in and how different it is from modern day times. There is a lot about social etiquette and how to behave with certain people, some of which you wouldn't believe to be acceptable.

Overall this is a book which at first I was unsure as to whether I would enjoy it or not. It has quite a slow beginning and does not really get moving until well into the 200 page section. Other than that it provides a good deal of sentimental values and about strong family ties.

It did take me a while to get through but I do think that it was worth it in the end as it finishes with an unexpected spin. This does have a feminine feel about it but that doesn't mean that it includes only romance.

I think if you do like the classics then this is something you could enjoy. You can buy this book from Amazon for £1.99 but I am unaware that many book shops still sell it.

Summary: .