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: Couldn't be a better choice
Summary: 5 Stars
I have not come across many great reads in the past five or six years--save for a half dozen or so that truly entertained and elucidated. MIDDLESEX was one of those few reads.
I loved everything about this book. From the strange and intricate description of Calliope's predicament to the hilarious passages she must go through as she grows. And of course, not to forget the highly amusing history of Calliope's Greek/Asia Minor family and their romp through the 20th century.
Some have told me they found the denouement lacking. I disagree. I truly appreciated the shape and scope of this unusual narrative all the way through. And I am delighted to be re-reading this story some five years later. It's as good now as then. (And that's always a sign of a great read!)
Wholeheartedly recommend.
Book Review: Middlesex: a marvellous journey with a fascinating destination
Summary: 5 Stars
This epic novel is rich in characters, filled with insight and incident, and enriched by history with a dash of myth. Complex family relationships, genetics, sexual identity and the politics of difference all have a place.
The novel challenges the reader to think about facts and about the extent to which identity is determined by labels. Mr Eugenides has written an insightful novel which is simultaneously a great adventure and a fascinating read.
The reader can choose to enjoy the journey while wondering about the destination. Is this complexity rendered simple, or simplicity rendered complex? You decide. Alternatively, just read the story and become caught up in the life of Calliope/Cal.
I read this novel in July 2003, and recommend it highly.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Book Review: Compelling story - very gripping
Summary: 5 Stars
The book did not start out as I expected it to and, I'll admit, was a little slow at the beginning. It skipped around a bit from the narrator to go back in the past and then I was wondering how this piece of the story related to what I thought the book was about. However, the book is less about a narrator with gender identity issues and more a chronicle of a family through 3 generations. While gender identity does become the focal point, the reader gets a very complete sense of context about the family and its various secrets. The story is compelling and gripping. I'm not a fast reader and I read this 500+ page book in 6 days. I simply could not put it down. The characters were all very well developed and the evolution of the story is organized well. (All the stuff at the beginning really does become clear.)Book Review: Middlesex
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the best books I've read in quite a while. It is very intriguing with believable characters. Once I started reading it was hard to put down as I got drawn into the story and at times had to remind myself that it was fiction because it seemed so real. I appreciated the way the author described hermaphrodism in a non offensive way and the patience and respect Calliope showed towards Desdemona.
The author ended the story and tied it all together very nicely but I am sad to be done. I am planning to read it again and suggest it for a reading circle at my work. I think it would be great discussion on diversity and respect. Usually I do not get this feeling after finishing a book but I love to talk about this one with anyone who is interested especially Oprah fans.
Book Review: A delightful surprise
Summary: 5 Stars
An engrossing story of three generations of a Greek and Greek-American family, molded by historical events, personal tragedies and genetic destiny. It's a family saga, and yet it isn't, because it's more a coming of age story, and yet it isn't, because it's a sexual awakening drama, and yet it isn't, because it's really just about life and death and humanity--and only incidentally about the "middle sex" of the title because, as the protagonist/narrator tells us, "it's amazing what you can get used to." and the "change from girl to boy was far less dramatic than the distance anybody travels from infancy to adulthood." Readers expecting a salacious look at the life of a "hermaphrodite" have been disappointed in this book. They should have been delightfully surprised at getting so much more.