A review by makayla_muir
The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is an interesting one. It took me ages to finish, and yet I felt quite immersed and interested in the narrative. When I did eventually get there, the ending struck me as unexpected. We never get to see the decision Maggie makes - does she finally decide to do what she desires or will she revert back into pleasing the expectations of her family/community - we don't know. It's an ending that is easy to dislike at first. But, maybe that's the point. Maybe we are meant to feel frustrated in the fact that these characters, especially Maggie, don't necessarily grow or change or achieve anything. That's the way it is sometimes. Maggie is a pretty passive character - things happen to her, she cries, then she moves on, only to be met with another trouble. Again, isn't this the way it is sometimes (all of the time). The lack of improvement arc or growth arc, whatever you want to call it, is sort of, unexpectedly refreshing. I suppose I do like it after all. Something holds me back from ranking this higher, but I'm not sure what that is: because it was sort of dense? Because it was full at times? Because the characters were often incredibly frustrating? Because of Phillip's ending? Maybe...