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The Mill on the Floss

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The Mill on the Floss

By: George Eliot
Narrated by: Jill Tanner
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First published in 1861, The Mill on the Floss was a best-seller in its day. This classic novel explores the traditions and moral expectations of an English rural community. Maggie Tulliver is a girl of uncontrollable romantic ideals. But her brother, along with most of society, cannot accept her brashness and vitality. Narrator Jill Tanner gracefully unfolds this tragic tale of love and loss.

Public Domain (P)2003 Recorded Books,LLC Classics Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Fiction

Editorial reviews

This novel has no great relevance to modern Americans, but you'd never guess it from Jill Tanner's narration. Here we get a lengthy, discursive account of the love between siblings Tom and Maggie, scions of a country miller in the mid-1800s, surrounding the story of how they dealt with many trials while growing into young adults, how they became estranged, and how they reconciled seconds before their tragic deaths. Tanner vividly animates the characters, making them seem familiar and worthy of our concern. She also makes apparent the charm, humor, grace, compassion, and subtlety in Eliot's work, which so often elude today's readers. Through Tanner, the virtues that captivated Eliot's contemporaries and still keep her books in print come into sharp focus.

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Impressive characterization, but the last book is a disappointment, both in its portrayal of victorian censure, and in its conclusion.

Very good until the end

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This is a great book, and the reader does a good job. Don't let the reviews fool you, there is NOTHING playful about it. It starts serious and remains serious.

Serious from the start

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Would you listen to The Mill on the Floss again? Why?

Yes...I've listened to it twice because it is so rich with moral complexity and evolves from such innocence to such an astonishing finale.And perhaps subconsciously I am hoping the story ends differently.It is one of the best books I've read or listened to. Ever. Lately, I've found myself relating to wealth disparity of another time. Hugo, Dickens and George Eliot are brilliant and you hear in their stories the frequent distinction of the difference between success and failure. If there's a flaw, it's the introduction.I'd rather not hear the triumphant ring of someone other than the narrator saying with cheerful gusto, "In their death they were not divided!" at the beginning of each segment.I tried to ignore it but it is a bit of a spoiler.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Mill on the Floss?

One is drawn into the story so gently and lovingly and beautifully...that is memorable.I would not want to spoil it by telling beyond that...but once done, it is helpful to read good literary analysis.

What about Jill Tanner’s performance did you like?

The characters are so well portrayed there is never a sense that you wish the man sounded more manly...she is pitch perfect.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I have never been so moved...perhaps it is in part in telling the story of women, everywhere who are reminded so often by brothers and society that they are girls and therefore worth less than boys.

Any additional comments?

Poetic truth.

Emotional Whip-lash!

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I found this s hard book to get into, as the story of the lives of Tom and Maggie Tolliver began as playful and somewhat superficial children. But this is the necessary groundwork for what happens as they age into adulthood, and the poignancy of their relationship could not be explained without this carefree introduction. A superior book, excellently narrated.

Wonderful depiction of a masterly novel

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I am so thankful to audible for bringing this book to my life. I have read so many long books without using my eyes through you, that it has honestly changed my mental life. The unabridged works of surely the greatest english novelist, the woman who wrote as George Eliot, has uplifted my life and I recommend her novels on audible to everyone who reads. Thank you a thousand times.

The best book ever written.

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I am fond of George Eliot’s writing. The Mill on the Floss is classified now as “historical fiction”, but at the time of writing was more contemporary and thus gives us some insight into the constraints and challenges of Victorian England, reflecting not only the prejudices of the era, but foreshadowing of the changes to come.

Long, but worthwhile.

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Mill on the Floss to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version so can't compare. However, the narrator, Jill Tanner, of the audio edition goes way above and beyond standard narration. Indeed, she makes the book almost a dramatic performance. With her beautiful, contralto voice, Tanner is able to even create characters with individual sounding voices. Truly remarkable.

What did you like best about this story?

So relevant today, even though written 150 years ago. The prose is beautiful.

What does Jill Tanner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She gives a performance of the book. Her elocution is perfect. She's able to create what could be local-sounding British accents of the day. Very entertaining.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. It made me cry. Having experienced some major "troubles" in life, it was wonderful to read of others who have struggled.

Poignant, relevant, love Jill Tanner's narration

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Mill on the Floss to be better than the print version?

I am not quite willing to go that far, BUT I am getting so much more of the humor and sarcasm of the author than I would have gotten had I read the print version. Listening slows me down and makes me much more aware of the author's skill and appreciative of the narration than I would be with a traditional read!

What did you like best about this story?

I have enjoyed the author's revealing how Maggie is trapped by circumstances and her environment.

Any additional comments?

I have come to appreciate the stories I have read about books like this novel or ones by Dickens being read aloud in a group to a family circle. Although I am a huge fan of listening to audiobooks in general and Audible in particular, with this novel, the listening has been even more productive than a conventional reading would have been. I am...surprised by the pleasure of a classic.

Surprise of the Season

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