Customer Reviews

Millstone, The

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I typically do not gush when speaking or writing about a literary work, but rarely have I ever experienced so much heartfelt concern for the well-being of a fictional character. Drabble endows her main character with a fierce, albeit flawed, sense of individualism and self-sufficiency. She tackles burdens and obstacles head-on and alone, even when help was available for the asking. Drabble also coveys the conflict present within her. Rosamund considers herself a modern and liberated woman, yet she is still bound by the Victorian sensativities she denounces. Her lifelong seach is for true love, but only does she find it in the place, or person, she was not seeking to meet. Commentary: There was a painfully obvious correlation between the rise of the welfare state and the decline of the family. Rosamund could have never done what she did on her own without the welfare state operating in Great Britain, with no welfare state, she would have had to maintain close ties with her family.

I've just started reading Drabble and I loved this book. The writing has verve, the main character is very sympathetic, and her experiences with her child are wonderful. Dive in! She's great.

The Waterfall remains my favorite Margaret Drabble novel, but this one uses a faster pace and even more humor. That humor comes from timing and odd observations, rather than obvious attempts at making readers laugh. For example, just before Rosamund Stacey loses her virginity, her seducer asks, "Is this all right? Are you all right, will this be all right?" Rosamund then tells us "that was it and it was over." You'll hate when this book is over. Rosamund seems like an old friend, and you'll enjoy your visit with her.

This was my second Drabble book and, I gather, one of her earliest works and it is a dilly. The young woman protagonist isn't all that likable but she has character and verve and the writing is excellent. Some scenes propel the reader into a vortex of emotions (watch for the episode in the hospital). What a great read this was!

This is the first book I have read by Drabble. I must say I was thourghly impressed. It was well written and the story is one that many can relate with. Rosamond Stacey learns of the most pure of loves, the love of your own child.