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The Mill on the Floss
- Narrated by: Fiona Shaw
- Length: 20 hrs and 56 mins
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The Mill on the Floss
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Summary
The Mill on the Floss is one of the great works of English literature. It is perhaps the most autobiographical of all Eliot's novels.
The relationship between its heroine, Maggie Tulliver, and her brother, Tom, closely resembles that of George Eliot and her own brother, Isaac. The subject of sibling affection was clearly a deeply poignant one for George Eliot - she also wrote a series of beautiful and evocative sonnets entitled 'Brother and Sister'.
Maggie's feelings as she nurses her dying father also echo those described by George Eliot in a letter when she was in the same situation. And there is something in the essential character and personality of Maggie that reminds us of her creator, of what we know of her from the life she led and the decisions she made.
Like its predecessors, Scenes of Clerical Life and Adam Bede, it is a domestic tale. And, like its predecessors, the book draws closely on people and places in Eliot's native Warwickshire. Although she did travel to Lincolnshire, where the story is set, to identify appropriate rivers for the apocalyptic flood, Dorlcote Mill closely resembles Arbury Mill, where the author played as a child.
It is essentially a story of family loss, tragedy and the sheer cruelty of fate. Like many of George Eliot's heroines, Maggie Tulliver's intelligence and emotional capacity are her undoing; they create in her an appetite for greater things than the social restrictions of the day tended to offer women - a theme which characterises much of George Eliot's work.
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What listeners say about The Mill on the Floss
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Miss J Goodman
- 13-07-21
Fiona Shaw excellent narrator.
loved the book. Fiona Shaw excellent as ever. thoroughly recommend this audible title. Eliot first class!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 20-12-19
Masterclass in narration
Fiona Shaw brings this wonderful novel to life. A
masterpiece. Tried reading it many years ago, but never finished it. Much more accessible listening.
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10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kia
- 23-11-20
Great reading
One of the books I’m studying at uni for one of my modules. I’m a very very slow reader so this was a huge help! Highly recommend
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jane Law
- 19-10-21
Rich classic
It always takes some time to acclimatise to older language, but so worth it. The narration of Fiona Shaw is second to none. So much of this story resonates through the ages with questions of the rights of women, inner moral turmoil with all too rare resolution to care for others above self, of forgiveness, so so much, plus wonderful observations and humour. This is worthy of being called a classic.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- pamelula
- 19-08-20
fantastic
Fiona Shaw reads this perfectly. She is lovely to listen to, very clear and brings the story to life.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Alma Curley
- 09-11-21
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed this, so beautifully written. Fiona Shaw is a fantastic narrator and puts real energy into the characters.
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- Pamela
- 17-02-21
Fiona Shaw is an excellent narrator.
Not a book to read if you are low in spirits. And I have to say I found the sentimentality at the end rather cloying. We see the world mainly through Maggie Tulliver and it is in adulthood; we see the collision between expectations and desires. And her stubborn father, a man unwise in his quarrels and choices. Some wonderful descriptive writing by Eliot.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 15-08-21
A very good book
Fiona Shaw brought these characters to life for me. I loved this book and couldn’t wait to hear more. I wept at the ending which was so sad and so apt. I really cared for Maggie and Tom. The story unfolds gently and touchingly giving the right weight to each character so that each one is skilfully drawn. I loved it.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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- SloshyDolphin
- 06-03-24
Hard to get into..
Got much better after the kids grew up. start was a struggle but improved and a good ending
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- Anonymous User
- 17-08-21
George Elliot is magnificent.
it is almost embarrassing to come to Eliot so late in life where others have known her genius since youth. Better late than never. The Mill on the Floss tells of a woman whose life implodes, despite her deep morality, her kindness, and her will to do good. The characterisation, the acute observation of human impulse, and the sly, sharp humour carry this powerful tale high over any impatience a modern reader might feel in the face of the frustrating, historical restrictions on personal (especially female) autonomy . Fiona Shaw is masterful in narration.
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4 people found this helpful