The beginning and ending were pretty good, but the middle dragged on quite a bit, which was only exacerbated by all the narrator’s constant moralizing and philosophizing. As half of a sibling pair myself I love that Maggie and Tom’s relationship was the focus, more important even than her romantic entanglements, but theirs wasn’t a healthy dynamic. It’s somewhat alright when they’re kids and Tom just wants his baby sister to stop following him everywhere, but when they’re adults and he’s mostly been cruel to her, she should’ve just stayed away after she got out of there. Family is important, but a toxic one (like the Dodsons and Tom) is by no means one that you have to stay obligated to — at least in this day and age; it’s clear Maggie didn’t have a ton of alternatives. The ending is probably supposed to be sweet and was a genuine “wait, WHAT” moment, but it’s pretty heavy-handed and I’m not sure how I feel about it.

The patriarchy is rampant in this one, with the plot being dominated by the feuds of the fathers (Tulliver and Wakem), then Philip’s and Stephen’s entitlement as they each pursue Maggie and try to coerce her into returning their feelings. There’s some social commentary in the condemnation and ostracism that Maggie faces after she doesn’t elope with Stephen, and a sweet moment with her cousin Lucy (who was all but engaged to Stephen but didn’t hold the betrayal against either of them); Bob Jaskin is terrific for a bit of humor and plenty of practicality.

Overall, it’s an interesting picture of a very specific way of life. I just wish it was more focused and had more of a cohesive plot.