Middlesex: A Novel (Oprah's Book Club) by Jeffrey Eugenides
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Book Reviews of Middlesex: A Novel (Oprah's Book Club)
Book Review: Wonderful Storytelling. A Modern Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I was reluctant to pick up this book as the topic of pseudo-hermaphrodism was too marginal to my interests. Luckily, eventually I did: I had not loved a novel more for years!
The story starts with the incestuous grandparents of the narrator fleeing their Greek homeland after it gets burned by the marching Turks. From the moment they land on Ellis island a beautiful and subtle panorama of the American 20th century gets reflected on the parents fortunes and, later, on Calliope's (and still later on Cal's) life of gender transformation.
The narration is simple yet not simplistic; witty and insightful yet not didactic. The flow and the rhythm of the novel is just perfect!
My only complain is with the last part of the book. After the main character realizes his/her true gender, the painful and eventful transformation seems rushed and abreviated. Whereas up to this point every thought and sensation is eloquently described, the ending was only painted in broad-strokes.
I have read a great number of books in my life. For most I can hardly remember major outsketches. This is one of those that stay with you.
Highly recommended.
Book Review: An Amazing Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. Usually, I don't care for books written in the first person perspective, especially ones that tend toward the autobiographical in presentation. This one was a definite exception. There was a natural delivery to the story. It truly was like I was speaking with a real person over several long cups of coffee.
The story itself is told with a sense of movement into the past and back to the present over a length of time that spans several generations. The time shifts were not jarring in the least.They occurred very naturally and at the perfect moments during the course of the narrative. There were moments in the story that a past event served the present story well. They allowed the characters to be better explained, their lives better understood.
In the end it was a very wonderful telling about a life that would be terribly unique. Middlesex: a novel was a story so strange that it made me take a moment and question how much of it truly is fiction. The telling takes on such a colour of truth that it comes alive in a way that a lot of fiction simply doesn't. I would recommend this as a definite must read.
Book Review: My big, fat Greek family
Summary: 5 Stars
Cal Stephanides traces his family history back to 1922, when his grandparents were young and living in Asia Minor. Their love was forbidden but undeniable and they married, keeping a terrible secret. They immigrated to America, had children who in turn had children, and one of them was Cal who, thanks to his grandparents, was born with a unique anatomy.
As the narrator, Cal paints a vivid and fascinating picture of his family, much like someone slowly turning the pages of a scrapbook, describing each photo in detail, interrupting his history occasionally to bring us up to date on his current situation. His family experienced dramatic highs (the Turkish slaughter of Greeks, the Detroit riots) as well as ordinary days, and he describes them all with humor and matter-of-fact acceptance.
This is a very unusual and exceptionally well-written story. I did object to the narrator being able to recount conversations and actions he couldn't possibly have known about and think the story should have been written in the third person, but I found it riveting and was sorry when it ended. Highly recommended.
Book Review: Truly Excellent Book, Highly Recommended
Summary: 5 Stars
This is honestly one of the best books I have ever read and I cannot say enough good things about it. The editorial reviews (Amazon.com and Publisher's Weekly) on the book's product page describe the book more perfectly and eloquently than I could, so I will start by saying I agree with those assessments.
Not only is the story extremely well-written and engaging, but Eugenides is impressively facile at juggling the many layers presented in the book's journey. The characters are well-rounded and the various transitions in the book, foremost the ones having to do with gender, are handled with surprising grace and ease. The tale may be somewhat odd, as one editorial review said, but I agree with the conclusion that it is still entirely believable. Plus, I think the oddness makes the story more fascinating and is part of its charm.
Though I am an avid reader, I don't read many books twice, but this is one I would like to read again. I thoroughly enjoyed it, came away with lots to think about, and have recommended it to just about everyone I know. A must-read!
Book Review: A new favorite
Summary: 5 Stars
The first word that comes to mind when I think of this book was WOW. This is an amazing coming of age story set in Detroit. It follows three generations of a Greek family who was just a little different than other 'traditional' families, but definitely had their fill of family drama and angst. The story is narrated by third generation family member Cal, formerly Calliope, who is the result of the 'close' ties within the family. It is a story of strength in adversity, and of personal discovery with a backdrop of turbulent Detroit as it goes through a Genesis of its own, from motor city to motown to the riots and finally to decrepitude. Cal's narration is witty and delves into the many layers of the family members he focuses upon, which includes for a large portion him/herself and all of the difficulties he faced in learning about who he was. The story moves at a good pace and is compelling throughout-there were no 'lag moments' for me. I can see why this book is on the 1001 books to read before you die list, and I look forward to reading more by Eugenides. What a wonderful author!