The Mill on the Floss

By: George Eliot

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

The Mill on the Floss, first published in 1860, tells the story of Maggie Tulliver and her brother Tom as they grow from children to young adults in the small rural town of St. Ogg's, England. Intelligent and passionate, Maggie yearns to develop her mind and break free of the constraints of her provincial village. Though she loves her brother above anyone else, Tom's rigid, pragmatic personality often conflicts with Maggie's headstrong nature, with increasingly tragic consequences. A classic novel of development, The Mill on the Floss is George Eliot's most autobiographical work. Through the characters of Tom and Maggie, Eliot examines themes of gender, education, and personality formation, and her portrayal of the town of St. Ogg's is both a brilliant depiction of provincial narrow-mindedness and constraining social norms and an intelligent commentary on the changes to rural life brought about by the forces of industrialization. The Mill on the Floss is an enduring portrait of love, family, and individuals striving to create their own destinies, one whose words and characters resonate as vividly today as they did for Eliot's first readers.

Public Domain (P)2011 Tantor

FAMILIES

George Eliot is a woman by the name of Mary Anne Evans. The name George Eliot hides and explains a double standard that existed before Adam and Eve and continues through today. George Eliot transgressed morality in the 1860s by living with a married man, until his death, when writing “The Mill on the Floss”. “The Mill on the Floss” is semi-autobiographical.

Very little social stigma follows men for illicit love affairs but no review of Eliot’s work escapes her association with George Henry Lewes. (As noted in Wikipedia: George Henry Lewes was an English philosopher and critic of literature and theatre. He became part of the mid-Victorian ferment of ideas which encouraged discussion of Darwinism, positivism, and religious skepticism.) Lewes became an important part of Eliot’s awakening as a literary artist; a role given substance by her life and experience with Lewes; not that Lewes was the source of her inherent ability, but an ability that could have been constrained, if not lost, in the social conventions of that day if not for Lewes’ support.

This is a wonderful classic that has as much to say about today as it did when it was published in 1860. Eliot’s book is not meant to change human nature (as if any book could), or the way we raise our children, but it helps explain why things happen as they do.

Mill on the Floss

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

No. See below.

Any additional comments?

Despite the bucolic title and setting, the recording was apparently accelerated to the point of hardly being able to follow it. It was probably not the narrator's doing. The producer probably wanted to save on recording time, a not unreasonable desire. However, it detracted significantly from my enjoyment of the book.

Normally a tactile read not a listen

I enjoyed this story, but honestly felt it lost something in the narration. The reader wasn't bad, it is jist that some stories and characters are so vivid in your mind that the voice distracts from the story. Not an enjoyable listen, but a great sad story.

A little strange, but likable.

Not a barn burner by any measure, but a good look at life in a different age. Good narration, I had no difficulty understanding the various accents used and done quite will by Ms. McCaddon. The story is slow but well made, though the ending is puzzling. Overall the book left me with a mildly positive impression, I could not, however, recommend it with much zeal. Still not a bad listen.

Wanda McCaddon is amazing

What made the experience of listening to The Mill on the Floss the most enjoyable?

Wanda McCaddon's reading was just an absolute delight to listen to. She's right up there with Jim Dale in terms of using different voices for all the characters. I will definitely look for more books narrated by her.

What about Wanda McCaddon’s performance did you like?

Everything.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Well, it's 18 hours, so no.