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: Middlesex=Excellentnovel
Summary: 5 Stars
My friend recommended this book, and so far he's never been wrong when he gives a title his thumbs-up. Beginning with the first sentence, I knew I couldn't put it down. It's funny, poignant, distressing, and fascinating. The characters are so finely crafted; my favorite is Desdemona, the narrator's grandma. She's so melodramatic and sweet, buffeted along by huge current, and personal, events. ("Bring yia-yia Epsom salts, honey mou.")
The narrator, Calliope/Cal, is born with a genetic abnormality that causes a specific type of hermaphroditism. Cal begins life as the long-awaited and beloved daughter of a first-generation Greek couple living in Detroit. The book, which other reviewers have justifiably called "Homeric," traces Cal's journey toward self-acceptance, and manhood.
This is the kind of book that keeps you sitting up nights, just until you finish the next chapter.
Book Review: My best read of the year!
Summary: 5 Stars
My vote for the best reading of the year.
The pleasure of immersing myself in a well-crafted novel is heightened with an unlikely story of the coming-of age of a hermaphrodite. The pretty girl reaches puberty, only to discover that secondary sex manifestations (facial hair, voice, lanky gestures) categorize her as a male. Behind it all, lies the deeply concealed family secret.
Middlesex is set in two other stories: The life and experiences of immigrants--this family from a Greek island--and the city of Detroit during the prohibition era through the late 60s as it evolved into an auto-making city filled with pent-up conflicts.
Beautifully told, Middlesex moves along on fast tracks, yet, like music, keeps the pace and echoes with you after the last notes have been played.
Talia Carner, author,
Puppet Child and China Doll
Book Review: Wonderful! Happy to see gender issues in main-stream literature!
Summary: 5 Stars
Though the book begins with a slower pace as the reader learns the rich history of Cal's grandparents, the second half of the novel flashs by with Cal's personal story.
I loved the novel and wished it kept going... I didn't want to finish it knowing the story would be over. The reader is always aware of two time periods: the present Cal telling the story and his life unfolding during narration and, in the beginning the story of his family, while later in the novel the second time period is Cal's childhood.
I recommend this book if you have the time to devote to reading it, the intellegence to comprehend the wonderful literary techniques and vocabulary, and the trust in the author to deliver a brilliant story. Lastly, anyone studying sex and gender issues would thrill to read the second half, as a thorough workover of sociological nomemclature is utilized.
Book Review: A BOOK TO LISTEN TO
Summary: 5 Stars
I Just finished listening to Middlesex. I had reservations getting into this story due to the subject nature, however because I am an avid reader and open to new kinds of material, coupled with the reviews I read I figured I'd give it a shot. Once I got the tape from the library and saw the 27 cassettes I was a bit concerned it would take forever, and then what if this drags???? Now that I'm finished listening,I wouldn't mind 27 more! Kristopher
Tabori's voiceovers brought every character such realness in their own special ways. The thousands of different emotions he portrayed throughout all the stories and plots and subplots and charaterizations were right on target. I became engrossed to a point where I wasn't just listening in the car, I carried a walkman with me. And when the last words were spoken, I must say, I miss Cal and everyone else already!!!!
Book Review: touchy subject, tastefully done
Summary: 5 Stars
this is an awesome book. I was hesitant at first to read it after hearing about it on Oprah. Then i saw it "on sale" and decided why not. I was pleasently surprised. I couldn't put the book down. It fed my love for history about a group of ethnic people i know practially nothing about (everything i learned about the Greeks i learned from teh movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding). It was a wonderful epic tale spaning threw decades. I was surprised the author had the guts to go all the places he went. All the touchy taboo subjects were hit on in a very tastefully way. I'd recomend this book to anyone over 18 (it gets a little to graphic for my teens to read) and i certainly wouldnt want my strict conservative mom to read it. But for anyone with an adult and open mind, its a fabulous read. To bad they'll probably never make a movie out of it.