This novel is about the power of reading - books, as well as magazines, and even home-made books with recipes and patterns and local gossip. It is based on facts.
In the hills of Kentucky in the 1930's, the government organized a Packhorse Librarian program. The protagonist of this novel was 19 and wanted that position. She was unusual in that she had blue skin. It is a fact that there were people with blue skin in Kentucky at that time. For that reason, this fictional character was nicknamed Bluet, but her real name was Cussy Mary Carter. She was discriminated against and for that reason, she sent her application for the pack horse project by mail, so they would not know the color of her skin.
Cussy Mary was very serious about this job. She hoped to bring comfort and literacy to the isolated people living in the hills of Kentucky. She rode a mule on her trips and often she stopped to read to those who were illiterate.
The novel also touches on the custom of 'courting candles'.
It is basically very sad in many parts as there is poverty and abuse, but it is also inspiring.
I have written a blog about librarians with a mission. One of those librarians is also in the hills of Kentucky. You can read about it here.
I began reading a paperback copy of "Mill on the Floss". The print was small and I was struggling. So it was wonderful when I was able to get the book on my new ipad.
I have always loved the physicality of books and I never thought I would enjoy reading on an ipad. But I was delighted with the ability to enlarge the print. I was able to read longer and enjoy it more.
Some people enjoy listening to books on tape, but I do not. I need to SEE the words. So this was great for me. I could re-read sections that caught my attention.
I admit to being biased against technology, when it's difficult to have conversations because of cellphones. But I do love the convenience of e-mail and now I can enjoy reading on my ipad. Just dipping my toes into technology, but I still enjoy face-to-face conversations and still LOVE book group discussions.
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| "Mill on the Floss" |
This novel by George Eliot is also long. It was first published in three volumes in 1860. The end of the second volume was so powerful, that I wish it had ended there. However, the book club was reading the whole novel, so I continued on to an ending that left me gasping!
The protagonist of the novel is Maggie Tulliver, who is a fascinating character throughout the novel. She is "a girl marked by intellectual distinction, a generously ardent nature and a strong capacity for feeling". However, Maggie goes from excess to privation- there is no middle ground with her and she gets into great difficulty. There are moral dilemmas, such as: Is it possible to please others AND yourself?
But the most interesting and entertaining parts for me involved Maggie's mother and three aunts- the 'Dodson sisters'.
Quote: "There were particular ways of doing everything in that family, particular ways of bleaching the linen, of making the cowslip wine, curing hams, and keeping the bottled gooseberries; so that no daughter of the house could be indifferent to the privilege of having been born a Dodson".
But when Maggie's father has a stroke, her aunts are no help to Maggie's poor mother. Generosity is not part of the 'Dodson' family.
The main theme of the novel is Maggie's relationship with her brother Tom. He resembles the Dodsons- very judgemental. Poor Maggie tries to please him throughout the whole novel.
Marvellous writing in parts, but also long and boring on occasion.
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| George Eliot |
The first thing to realize about "Mill on the Floss", is that the author, George Eliot, is not a man. It is the pen name of Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880). She was extremely bright and well- educated and lived an unconventional life. She studied many religious philosophies, but lived by her own ideals.
At age 32, she met George Lewes and, although he was already in an open marriage with another woman, they moved in together. Affairs were common at that time, but mostly carried on 'with discretion'. However, Mary Ann and George did not hide their relationship. They were eventually accepted into polite society. In 1877, they were introduced to Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Louise.
When Mary Ann's partner George died in 1878, she met John Walter Cross, whom she married in May of 1880. This relationship was not accepted well because he was 20 years younger than her. However, she only lived until December of that year. She was buried in Highgate Cemetery in the area reserved for societal outcasts, religious dissenters and agnostics, beside the love of her life, George Henry Lewes.
I had previously read only one book by George Eliot- "Middlemarch". It was the first book that I read for a book club- 21 years ago! It was LONG (880 pages), but I loved it! I thought the characters were enjoyable and it was a great picture of England in the 1800's. I immediately realized that she was a great writer!
I will write about "Mill on the Floss" in my next blog.
In my last blog, I asked the question, "What is good to read when you are not feeling well?"
I think I have found the answer for me. The great authors of the past have a great deal to offer and are a change from present-day literature.
I enjoy several things:
- a linear plot
- a single storyline
- a limited number of characters
- great vocabulary
- wonderful description
Many modern novels have so many characters to keep track of and plotlines moving back and forth. But mostly, I often feel that I never get to really understand any of the characters.
Nineteenth century authors are my favourite- Austen, Alcott, Dickens, Hawthorne, etc.
Several years ago, when I had great sadness in my life, I re-read the novels of Thomas Hardy. I found them comforting because they had great pastoral descriptions- someone was always walking across the moors.
Many books written in that time period were serialized weekly in magazines. For that reason, there had to be few characters and a
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simple plot in order for readers to remember from one week to the next.
Because they were focussed on few characters, there was much description and dialogue with these characters. You were able to enter their world.
That was what I needed when I was not feeling well. And my next blog will describe the book that really entertained me.
