I think I’ve answered my own question about whether I should read this having read your great post. I’m going to have to!! The density has been putting me off tackling it - this and middlemarch, which has also been looking down from the shelf disapprovingly for the last six months. I remember reading an analysis somewhere about Eliot, and how she mixed in contemporary critiques of celebrity which could - to the modern reader - be largely ignored without detracting from the novel; you touch on that in your review. I’m going to have to follow your advice and block out longer periods of time to pick them up and get on with it! But the question then is - Middlemarch or The Mill on the Foss first??
I would recommend starting with Middlemarch!! Unless you like to be absolutely devastated (but in a good way) by your books, in which case The Mill on the Floss is for you!! Joking aside though, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed Mill as much if I didn’t already have an understanding of and affection for Eliot’s whole vibe. If you’re not tied to one of those two, I actually recommend Daniel Deronda as a first foray. It’s her most fun book in my opinion. I’ll look forward to reading your review, whichever one you choose!
I think I’ll have to do middlemarch tbh because I bought it for that purpose. It might be a little while yet because I’m 3/4 the way through humboldt’s gift (bellow) which has been quite dense. I need something lighter before I can switch gears into something intense. I’m 99% sure I have mill in my audible library though I’m not sure if it’s sacrilege to do it that way!
I think I’ve answered my own question about whether I should read this having read your great post. I’m going to have to!! The density has been putting me off tackling it - this and middlemarch, which has also been looking down from the shelf disapprovingly for the last six months. I remember reading an analysis somewhere about Eliot, and how she mixed in contemporary critiques of celebrity which could - to the modern reader - be largely ignored without detracting from the novel; you touch on that in your review. I’m going to have to follow your advice and block out longer periods of time to pick them up and get on with it! But the question then is - Middlemarch or The Mill on the Foss first??
I would recommend starting with Middlemarch!! Unless you like to be absolutely devastated (but in a good way) by your books, in which case The Mill on the Floss is for you!! Joking aside though, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed Mill as much if I didn’t already have an understanding of and affection for Eliot’s whole vibe. If you’re not tied to one of those two, I actually recommend Daniel Deronda as a first foray. It’s her most fun book in my opinion. I’ll look forward to reading your review, whichever one you choose!
I think I’ll have to do middlemarch tbh because I bought it for that purpose. It might be a little while yet because I’m 3/4 the way through humboldt’s gift (bellow) which has been quite dense. I need something lighter before I can switch gears into something intense. I’m 99% sure I have mill in my audible library though I’m not sure if it’s sacrilege to do it that way!
I love this and can't wait to read the Mill on the Floss (once again after about 70 years) Love, Gramma Bonnie
I hope you will like it!!!