The Mill on the Floss

By: George Eliot

Narrated by: Eileen Atkins

Exclusively from Audible

'If life had no love in it, what else was there for Maggie?'

The Mill on the Floss, first published in 1860, is considered one of George Eliot's most autobiographical works.

Having formed a complex bond with her own family, George Eliot, now known to the public as Mary Ann Evans, depicts the loving yet volatile relationship between the Tulliver siblings and their doting father.

Spanning over a period of 10 years, The Mill on the Floss follows the coming of age of the beautiful and idealistic Maggie, as she experiences family tragedy, forbidden love and the wrath of the English patriarchy. A sublime literary accomplishment which brings to question the very essence of what it takes to become a civilised and moral society, Eliot perfects the genre of psychological realism.

George Eliot was one of the leading writers of the Victoria era. Her novels, largely set in provincial England, are well known for their realism and are said to have paved the way for authors such as Henry James. James continued to explore Eliot's revolutionary approach to literature, further introducing the public to a naturalistic genre far removed from the hyperbolic Dickensian narrative that had dominated the 19th century.

Narrator Biography

Dame Eileen Atkins is an English actress and screenwriter. Her breakthrough performance in the Broadway production of The Killing of Sister George paved the way for an astonishing theatre, film and television career. She is now a BAFTA, Emmy and three-time Olivier Award winner.

Eileen co-created the classic British series, Upstairs, Downstairs, alongside Jean Marsh, in 1971. She has also acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company and been in numerous plays including, The Retreat from Moscow, Medea, A Delicate Balance and Vivat! Vivat Regina!

Her film credits include Magic in the Moonlight, Robin Hood, Last Chance Harvey, Evening, Gosford Park, Jack and Sarah and Equus.

Eileen's passionate and diverse narrative style makes her an Audible favourite and can also be heard in The Winter's Tale and King John by William Shakespeare, Angela Carter's Wise Children, Alan Bennett's Talking Heads 2 and Arnold Bennett's The Old Wives Tale.

©2014 Audible, Inc. (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

I was disappointed

Middlemarch is one of my favorite novels and I just loved Adam Bede when I Audible'd it, but I have to say this one was a disappointment. The reader is fantastic and brings out many of Eliot's amusing touches of dialect and quasi-philosophy. Also, the Victorian feminism expressed is fascinating. Yet for all that the story is really rather aimless, and the ending a real let-down.

Excellent reading

This reading is excellent, with characterization shown through the use of different voices with realistic accents.

Beautiful Complex Characters

I was nervous to read this because I had enjoyed Middlemarch so much. But I was not disappointed. Another story with complex characters incredibly well written. The antagonist and protagonist are a little bit more clear in the story. But it’s also a little bit more exciting. The narrator was wonderfully natural and expressive without being over the top.

Great read

Enjoyed the themes of this book immensely.
The beginning was a bit slow, but as the story progressed it was really worth it!

Outstanding Narration of a Classic

I very much enjoyed listening to this novel. Eileen Atkins was wonderful. I was frustrated with the outcome of the story, but we can't judge 19th century society by today's standards. The story examines the life of a virtuous young woman caught up in a moral dilemma, frustrated by all of society's restrictions and judgments, Overall, I'm glad to have added this classic to my reading history.

Narration carried it.

Middlemarch and Adam Bede were so much better but I had to keep listening because the narration was so amazing.

Struggle and Redemption

I struggled to remain engaged in the story; however, in the end am very glad to have made it to the end.
The reason for a 4 for the story is due to the length and the overblown language. Written in the 1800’s in the prose style of the day the story drags by today’s standards.
I appreciated the struggle between siblings and family of all generations. Maggie is certainly a compelling character. I loved her independent viewpoint especially considering the norms for women at that period.

Very Very SLOOOOOW

Consists of character-building episodes with few plots till the end. An abridged half-version might prove able to keep listeners’ attention.

Amazing women/writer

I love how G Eliot goes into deep reflection on life and relationship, filled with compassion and true understanding of a human nature/being with its faults and desires/wishes. Also described Great attachment to a family and relation and hopeless love!

The Definitive Polite Society Audiobook Reading

Brilliantly composed Audible performance of "The Mill on the Floss" by George Eliot. This is a book which would probably be otherwise inaccessible to my attention if not for the thoroughly elite reading by Dame Eileen Atkins. She performs the entire story with informed, intuitive impersonations of each character, distinguishable with her own unique acting professionalism. I listened to this book consistently during Afternoon Tea and was delighted at how it perfectly fits such an atmosphere and occasion. Such audiobook here is of the highest quality for an authentic British listening experience and socially polite approach to literature. The voice of the narrator is beautiful, with her delectable English brogue and wonderful intonation. A very suitable, first class production for the not engine obsessive and driving addicted fiends, but for higher protocol and fancy.