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monazaneefer's review
2.0
Started on audible : 2nd Dec
Started as an eBook: 3rd Dec
What a terrible way to end an almost good book.
So, I started this book via audible and the narrators were fantastic but I knew this abridged version was cutting a lot from the original story. I then dropped it and switched to text because I needed to savour everything. I felt like I could have a clearer idea of Tom and Maggie's characterisations if I read through their entire childhood. A lot of people found the starting and their childhood boring but I didn't, largely due to having initially experienced their childhood tale via the audiobook. (I did skip a few bits in the eBook however due to impatience of reaching the part where I stopped in the audiobook version.)
I really did think there were going to be two courses in this latter half of the story: duty vs love. Tom, her brother, represented the former while Philip represented the latter. She would have to choose between the two. But nope.
Throw in Stephen and all confusion and chaos break loose into my speculative yet neatly structured plot. What was the point of Stephen?? Who ever cared about him! He was such a SLEAZE. And Maggie never getting over him turns me sick. I can't tell you how angry - no, infuriated - I was at this Stephen plot.
But I think my review may be harsher were it not for that random ending. The randomness of the flood surprisingly has mellowed down my anger. Or, in filler words: "Umm...okay?...what! A random flood!" It makes me no longer have strong feelings towards this book simply because the ending was so casually placed in the story without much of a precursor that I'm left more annoyed than angry. Yes, I know there was foreshadowing going on but they weren't enough to symbolise and carry justification of the ending.
Maybe for the last 100 pages, the town should have been preparing for a flood; that would've made the ending come less out of the blue. But, noooo, Maggie was ruminating over her inner conflicts. Then, BAM! flood. BAM! dead. And within a matter of a few pages! It's like you're walking down the street, expecting, well, just to walk down the street when a stranger nonchalantly makes a fleeting comment about the universe's black hole as s/he passes you by. And you're left standing there, a bit bewildered.
Perhaps, there was no other way for Tom and Maggie to reconcile. Because even if Maggie gave up Stephen, there was no chance with Philip due to Tom's dislike towards him. Honestly, the more I think of it, the more I see these relationships were rendered pointless in the end. Maggie risked it for Philip - only to risk it for Stephen - only to further damage her relationship with Tom - which led all of them....nowhere. Like, what was the need for Maggie to take a risk with Philip when in the end George Eliot barely even had this relationship in mind for the latter half of the book and took a turn into a completely different route.
Characters
I actually had liked Maggie but her character made a 180 degree flip; her whole relation with Stephen was out of character. How could I not hate her after that? I started resenting when people were showing kindness to her in the form of resolution (like the way Aunt Glegg did).
Then there's Tom; unlike popular opinion I assume, I did like him. I liked his wants to uphold duty to his father and wanting to keep his family together. He didn't go about them in a nice manner but his rigidity was interesting to read. I only wish he loved his sister as much as she did. Her longing for his affection was quite sad to read. And there was a lot of potential in Tom's character development which was not explored except for maybe an arbitrary line hidden among other details that put the idea in my head to begin with. Throughout their childhood, Tom thought himself to be better and I think it was his interview with his uncle to look for a situation when that vision of himself was shattered and he realised he did not have everything he thought he had within his nature.
As for Philip Wakem .... :((((( C'mon! Okay, yes, he was a little too forward and imposing on Maggie but he was the only one I rooted for till the end! Yet, all that was written for him was just loneliness with a vague mention of him always coming to Maggie's grave alone? Absolutely nicht! So undeserving and, to be honest, such a deficient and lacking ending to one of the main characters.
Some positives
- Philip Wakem's hunchback element. I think it was quite beautiful and sad to read his troubles relating to his physical deformity; it enhanced his characterisation.
- The entire confrontation scene between Tom, Maggie and Philip. When Tom becomes suspicious of Maggie, confronts her and gives her the ultimatum upon her father's bible, then both of them go to Philip and Tom confronts him. Ah! This has to be one of my top favourite novel scenes of all time - up there with the scene in Villette where Lucy confides in the priest. Perhaps, this scene in TMOTF has the edge for now because the emotions were much more heightened and the conflict was a lot more intense since there were things at stake. Yet, I do think the novel ending will affect my perception of this scene in the future and deem it useless since Maggie later turns to be despicable and Philip loses his position as a suitor anyway. Nevertheless, we shall see.
Anyway, George Elliot, I could have written a better ending than this.
Update: 12/12/2020
- I remember how much I adored the scene in which Philip tells his father about Maggie. How quiet and calm Philip was. His father, whose character you only know through the vilification by the Tulliver family and assume is terrible, gets angry but comes around for his only son. His love and indulgent nature for his son was wonderful characterisation throughout. And in consequence, the addition of the little scene in which Mr Wakem speaks so kindly to Maggie at the bazaar. Sigh.
- The more I dwell on the novel, the more I absolutely love Philip. My heart :”( My favourite character of the novel...and possibly amongst my favourite novel characters of all time. Too bad he belongs and lives in a terribly constructed book.
- Reminds me of the confrontational scene in which Tom insults Philip. Stupid Tom; I can’t believe the author didn’t even resolve that! With some sort of redeeming scene involving Tom at least.
Started as an eBook: 3rd Dec
What a terrible way to end an almost good book.
So, I started this book via audible and the narrators were fantastic but I knew this abridged version was cutting a lot from the original story. I then dropped it and switched to text because I needed to savour everything. I felt like I could have a clearer idea of Tom and Maggie's characterisations if I read through their entire childhood. A lot of people found the starting and their childhood boring but I didn't, largely due to having initially experienced their childhood tale via the audiobook. (I did skip a few bits in the eBook however due to impatience of reaching the part where I stopped in the audiobook version.)
I really did think there were going to be two courses in this latter half of the story: duty vs love. Tom, her brother, represented the former while Philip represented the latter. She would have to choose between the two. But nope.
Throw in Stephen and all confusion and chaos break loose into my speculative yet neatly structured plot. What was the point of Stephen?? Who ever cared about him! He was such a SLEAZE. And Maggie never getting over him turns me sick. I can't tell you how angry - no, infuriated - I was at this Stephen plot.
But I think my review may be harsher were it not for that random ending. The randomness of the flood surprisingly has mellowed down my anger. Or, in filler words: "Umm...okay?...what! A random flood!" It makes me no longer have strong feelings towards this book simply because the ending was so casually placed in the story without much of a precursor that I'm left more annoyed than angry. Yes, I know there was foreshadowing going on but they weren't enough to symbolise and carry justification of the ending.
Maybe for the last 100 pages, the town should have been preparing for a flood; that would've made the ending come less out of the blue. But, noooo, Maggie was ruminating over her inner conflicts. Then, BAM! flood. BAM! dead. And within a matter of a few pages! It's like you're walking down the street, expecting, well, just to walk down the street when a stranger nonchalantly makes a fleeting comment about the universe's black hole as s/he passes you by. And you're left standing there, a bit bewildered.
Perhaps, there was no other way for Tom and Maggie to reconcile. Because even if Maggie gave up Stephen, there was no chance with Philip due to Tom's dislike towards him. Honestly, the more I think of it, the more I see these relationships were rendered pointless in the end. Maggie risked it for Philip - only to risk it for Stephen - only to further damage her relationship with Tom - which led all of them....nowhere. Like, what was the need for Maggie to take a risk with Philip when in the end George Eliot barely even had this relationship in mind for the latter half of the book and took a turn into a completely different route.
Characters
I actually had liked Maggie but her character made a 180 degree flip; her whole relation with Stephen was out of character. How could I not hate her after that? I started resenting when people were showing kindness to her in the form of resolution (like the way Aunt Glegg did).
Then there's Tom; unlike popular opinion I assume, I did like him. I liked his wants to uphold duty to his father and wanting to keep his family together. He didn't go about them in a nice manner but his rigidity was interesting to read. I only wish he loved his sister as much as she did. Her longing for his affection was quite sad to read. And there was a lot of potential in Tom's character development which was not explored except for maybe an arbitrary line hidden among other details that put the idea in my head to begin with. Throughout their childhood, Tom thought himself to be better and I think it was his interview with his uncle to look for a situation when that vision of himself was shattered and he realised he did not have everything he thought he had within his nature.
As for Philip Wakem .... :((((( C'mon! Okay, yes, he was a little too forward and imposing on Maggie but he was the only one I rooted for till the end! Yet, all that was written for him was just loneliness with a vague mention of him always coming to Maggie's grave alone? Absolutely nicht! So undeserving and, to be honest, such a deficient and lacking ending to one of the main characters.
Some positives
- Philip Wakem's hunchback element. I think it was quite beautiful and sad to read his troubles relating to his physical deformity; it enhanced his characterisation.
- The entire confrontation scene between Tom, Maggie and Philip. When Tom becomes suspicious of Maggie, confronts her and gives her the ultimatum upon her father's bible, then both of them go to Philip and Tom confronts him. Ah! This has to be one of my top favourite novel scenes of all time - up there with the scene in Villette where Lucy confides in the priest. Perhaps, this scene in TMOTF has the edge for now because the emotions were much more heightened and the conflict was a lot more intense since there were things at stake. Yet, I do think the novel ending will affect my perception of this scene in the future and deem it useless since Maggie later turns to be despicable and Philip loses his position as a suitor anyway. Nevertheless, we shall see.
Anyway, George Elliot, I could have written a better ending than this.
Update: 12/12/2020
- I remember how much I adored the scene in which Philip tells his father about Maggie. How quiet and calm Philip was. His father, whose character you only know through the vilification by the Tulliver family and assume is terrible, gets angry but comes around for his only son. His love and indulgent nature for his son was wonderful characterisation throughout. And in consequence, the addition of the little scene in which Mr Wakem speaks so kindly to Maggie at the bazaar. Sigh.
- The more I dwell on the novel, the more I absolutely love Philip. My heart :”( My favourite character of the novel...and possibly amongst my favourite novel characters of all time. Too bad he belongs and lives in a terribly constructed book.
- Reminds me of the confrontational scene in which Tom insults Philip. Stupid Tom; I can’t believe the author didn’t even resolve that! With some sort of redeeming scene involving Tom at least.
dnietoperafan's review against another edition
3.0
This book took me such a long time to read. One of the reasons why is the fact that it’s written with a very slow pace. I couldn’t manage to read more than twenty pages without feeling tired. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the story. I could connect very well with Maggie and her thought process. I think many people would enjoy this book, and if they enjoy slow paced stories it’s perfect.
The ending was such a surprise, and it made me physically react. The characters are well developed and George Eliot makes you care about them. The characters, in my opinion, are the strongest element of the novel. I enjoyed reading it, even though it took me some time. And I think it was a good book to end the year with.
The ending was such a surprise, and it made me physically react. The characters are well developed and George Eliot makes you care about them. The characters, in my opinion, are the strongest element of the novel. I enjoyed reading it, even though it took me some time. And I think it was a good book to end the year with.
lunese's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
libby_bebby's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jovanas_cloud's review against another edition
3.0
Melody (1983 Club Vinyl Mix) - Plustwo
Nothing On Me - KAI
First of all, I hate this book so much. I want to burn all the copies. That's how much this book actually pisses me off.
Honestly, this book was extremely dreadful to read at first. I'd read twenty pages and boom I'd get tired and call it a day. The beginning aka until the half, it was excruciating to read, I was not interested in the characters, or their situations or anything about them. This was misogyny after colourism after misogyny after misogyny after misogyny after colourism, there's no end to it. The rage this book started in me, it's indescribable. If I wasn't reading this for my exam I would've given up at the very beginning.
Let's start with characters. I'm going to be frank and tell you I did not like one single character in that book. None. Maybe Mumps (Bob's dog) but that's it.
Maggie was truly obnoxious; the first half of the book we see her when she was a child and she was an extreme crybaby, I don't think a single chapter would pass without her crying and sobbing at least once. However, that trait of hers did not stay in her childhood years, it went on even in her teens. Maggie was someone who would've been a great activist in today's age, definitely. She was very intelligent, she wanted to learn, she YEARNED for knowledge, but I think what she wanted the most was equality. I blame her family especially brother Tom and her mother, even though her uncles and aunts knew she was free-spirited, her mom and brother ruined her mentally, let's say. Tom would make sure that Maggie feels inferior to him and other men. She was constantly criticized for curiosity and for intelligence, like she knew all these things, she was reading poetry and she wanted to learn Latin and Euclid and to be EQUAL; but her brother would look down on her. Example: when Tom was at Mr Stelling's and Stelling said that girls' knowledge is shallow and it can never be at the same level as men's. Also multiple times her appearance, or rather her wild curls and darkish skin was always looked down on. All of her family would say she looked like a gypsy throughout the book.
Tom Tulliver was a man. He'd definitely be an incel today. I only admire his determination to help save his family's Mill and to pay off the debts caused by his father and the lawsuit with Wakem, everything else about Tom though? Trash. He was almost always pissed at Maggie when they were kids, like he would go with Lucy (their cousin) to see something at the lake or be super nice to her just to piss Maggie off because she did something a child is likely to do (forgetting to feed the rabbits and they died of hunger). Also him being stupid as hell... Like writing in family BIBLE, THE HOLY BOOK????? evil things his father wished upon Wakem such as to make sure to ruin Wakem, that evil should follow him and to never make amends with Philip Wakem.
Philip Wakem. Philip Wakem. To be honest, if he wasn't a creep and didn't have a crush on Maggie when she was supposedly 10 and he was 14, I would've liked him a lot more. So he has a deformity, hunched back. And his mom died when he was young. He was something Maggie truly needed. He was far more intelligent than Tom and he encouraged Maggie to study, to learn new things and to read poetry. They first met at Mr Stelling's house when she visited Tom. He wanted Maggie to be his sister, because they had some things in common and because she wasn't as mean as Tom. She realized that some of her words regarding his deformity were hurtful (at the age of 10) apologized, whereas Tom insulted Philip multiple times over years. That scene where Maggie was thanking Philip for being nice to Tom when he injured his foot with the sword, Philip was a bit of a creep. Asking for Maggie to remember him and his goodness and also to love him like a brother but also asking for a kiss (probably on his cheek but still). It's obvious he was developing his crush then. It's really sad that for years probably 8 or 9, he still loved her and supported her. Maggie was complete trash to him later on. I know she wanted to see him as a lover and to love him the way he loved her, but she should've just been honest and tell him on their stroll in the forest. Her not telling him her true feelings definitely was the biggest cause of all the love drama that happened. At the end of the book we are told that he came alone to her tombstone, which made me really sad. She was the only one that loved him outside of his family and he obviously hadn't found anyone because of his deformity and probably love he had for her.
Stephen Guest. He pissed me off the most I'd say. Being close to an engagement with Lucy he still flirted and proclaimed his love to Maggie and kissed her arm, and persuaded her to go on that boat he rowed and ask her to run away with him and get married was really gross of him. OMG AND THE GASLIGHTING. The way he gaslighted Maggie in that inn after they got off that vessel. I don't know if that was considered romantic then but that's clearly gaslighting, like him saying she will ruin his life and that she is making him miserable by rejecting his love and that he wouldn't know how to live with himself and how it physically pains him that she is rejecting his love when they were oh so clearly made for each other. And in the end he wrote to her when he returned from Holland. And came to her tombstone years later. With Lucy. Also Lucy is so dumb for going back to him.
Misogyny was clearly evident in the whole book. Especially because Maggie is always seen or connected with men in the book. Mr Tulliver - Maggie, Tom - Maggie, Philip - Maggie, Stephen - Maggie. The way she was always told and they tried to teach her to obey men and that girls' knowledge was shallow and how they can never be smart as men even though Tom was excruciatingly dumb.
The ending was bitter and sweet but not bittersweet. Bitter as in Maggie deserved better. She was about to move away from St. Ogg's and be a teacher if I remember correctly. She would've had a new beginning she needed, but I feel with her pain and mistakes she was better off dead. If she moved away she would still think about Lucy and Stephen and Tom and Philip and her dad. The ending was also sweet because she died in embrace with Tom. Family was obviously very important to her especially Tom, she looked up to him as if he were God.
The quote I liked the most, and that made me rather upset for the next half an hour was her conversation with Tom.
'Pray, how have you shown your love that you talk of either to me or my father? By disobeying and deceiving us. I have a different way of showing my affection.'
'Because you are a man, Tom, and have power, and can do something in the world.'
'Then, if you can do nothing, submit to those that can.'
That quote really struck me, because before that I didn't get any impression that Maggie realized how cruel and misogynistic they were to her or how privileged they were compared to her. It actually amazes me how this quote isn't in the top 5 most liked quotes for this book.
Even though this book was boring to read for the first half, it was really interesting to read the other half. I hate everything about it though, the plot, the characters, the ending, the relationships, but it certainly taught me something, I just can't pinpoint what it is exactly at this point. However, I do recommend reading this book if you are bored or just want to do something productive.
Nothing On Me - KAI
First of all, I hate this book so much. I want to burn all the copies. That's how much this book actually pisses me off.
Honestly, this book was extremely dreadful to read at first. I'd read twenty pages and boom I'd get tired and call it a day. The beginning aka until the half, it was excruciating to read, I was not interested in the characters, or their situations or anything about them. This was misogyny after colourism after misogyny after misogyny after misogyny after colourism, there's no end to it. The rage this book started in me, it's indescribable. If I wasn't reading this for my exam I would've given up at the very beginning.
Let's start with characters. I'm going to be frank and tell you I did not like one single character in that book. None. Maybe Mumps (Bob's dog) but that's it.
Spoiler
Maggie was truly obnoxious; the first half of the book we see her when she was a child and she was an extreme crybaby, I don't think a single chapter would pass without her crying and sobbing at least once. However, that trait of hers did not stay in her childhood years, it went on even in her teens. Maggie was someone who would've been a great activist in today's age, definitely. She was very intelligent, she wanted to learn, she YEARNED for knowledge, but I think what she wanted the most was equality. I blame her family especially brother Tom and her mother, even though her uncles and aunts knew she was free-spirited, her mom and brother ruined her mentally, let's say. Tom would make sure that Maggie feels inferior to him and other men. She was constantly criticized for curiosity and for intelligence, like she knew all these things, she was reading poetry and she wanted to learn Latin and Euclid and to be EQUAL; but her brother would look down on her. Example: when Tom was at Mr Stelling's and Stelling said that girls' knowledge is shallow and it can never be at the same level as men's. Also multiple times her appearance, or rather her wild curls and darkish skin was always looked down on. All of her family would say she looked like a gypsy throughout the book.
Tom Tulliver was a man. He'd definitely be an incel today. I only admire his determination to help save his family's Mill and to pay off the debts caused by his father and the lawsuit with Wakem, everything else about Tom though? Trash. He was almost always pissed at Maggie when they were kids, like he would go with Lucy (their cousin) to see something at the lake or be super nice to her just to piss Maggie off because she did something a child is likely to do (forgetting to feed the rabbits and they died of hunger). Also him being stupid as hell... Like writing in family BIBLE, THE HOLY BOOK????? evil things his father wished upon Wakem such as to make sure to ruin Wakem, that evil should follow him and to never make amends with Philip Wakem.
Philip Wakem. Philip Wakem. To be honest, if he wasn't a creep and didn't have a crush on Maggie when she was supposedly 10 and he was 14, I would've liked him a lot more. So he has a deformity, hunched back. And his mom died when he was young. He was something Maggie truly needed. He was far more intelligent than Tom and he encouraged Maggie to study, to learn new things and to read poetry. They first met at Mr Stelling's house when she visited Tom. He wanted Maggie to be his sister, because they had some things in common and because she wasn't as mean as Tom. She realized that some of her words regarding his deformity were hurtful (at the age of 10) apologized, whereas Tom insulted Philip multiple times over years. That scene where Maggie was thanking Philip for being nice to Tom when he injured his foot with the sword, Philip was a bit of a creep. Asking for Maggie to remember him and his goodness and also to love him like a brother but also asking for a kiss (probably on his cheek but still). It's obvious he was developing his crush then. It's really sad that for years probably 8 or 9, he still loved her and supported her. Maggie was complete trash to him later on. I know she wanted to see him as a lover and to love him the way he loved her, but she should've just been honest and tell him on their stroll in the forest. Her not telling him her true feelings definitely was the biggest cause of all the love drama that happened. At the end of the book we are told that he came alone to her tombstone, which made me really sad. She was the only one that loved him outside of his family and he obviously hadn't found anyone because of his deformity and probably love he had for her.
Stephen Guest. He pissed me off the most I'd say. Being close to an engagement with Lucy he still flirted and proclaimed his love to Maggie and kissed her arm, and persuaded her to go on that boat he rowed and ask her to run away with him and get married was really gross of him. OMG AND THE GASLIGHTING. The way he gaslighted Maggie in that inn after they got off that vessel. I don't know if that was considered romantic then but that's clearly gaslighting, like him saying she will ruin his life and that she is making him miserable by rejecting his love and that he wouldn't know how to live with himself and how it physically pains him that she is rejecting his love when they were oh so clearly made for each other. And in the end he wrote to her when he returned from Holland. And came to her tombstone years later. With Lucy. Also Lucy is so dumb for going back to him.
Misogyny was clearly evident in the whole book. Especially because Maggie is always seen or connected with men in the book. Mr Tulliver - Maggie, Tom - Maggie, Philip - Maggie, Stephen - Maggie. The way she was always told and they tried to teach her to obey men and that girls' knowledge was shallow and how they can never be smart as men even though Tom was excruciatingly dumb.
The ending was bitter and sweet but not bittersweet. Bitter as in Maggie deserved better. She was about to move away from St. Ogg's and be a teacher if I remember correctly. She would've had a new beginning she needed, but I feel with her pain and mistakes she was better off dead. If she moved away she would still think about Lucy and Stephen and Tom and Philip and her dad. The ending was also sweet because she died in embrace with Tom. Family was obviously very important to her especially Tom, she looked up to him as if he were God.
The quote I liked the most, and that made me rather upset for the next half an hour was her conversation with Tom.
'Pray, how have you shown your love that you talk of either to me or my father? By disobeying and deceiving us. I have a different way of showing my affection.'
'Because you are a man, Tom, and have power, and can do something in the world.'
'Then, if you can do nothing, submit to those that can.'
That quote really struck me, because before that I didn't get any impression that Maggie realized how cruel and misogynistic they were to her or how privileged they were compared to her. It actually amazes me how this quote isn't in the top 5 most liked quotes for this book.
Even though this book was boring to read for the first half, it was really interesting to read the other half. I hate everything about it though, the plot, the characters, the ending, the relationships, but it certainly taught me something, I just can't pinpoint what it is exactly at this point. However, I do recommend reading this book if you are bored or just want to do something productive.
bwood95's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
enchantedsunflowerkat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I LOVE YOU GEORGE ELIOT ❤️
maferencak's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5