Lost in Middlesex
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This is a very special book, wonderfully composed with true skill using flowing prose and marvellous insight; both researched and I suspect experienced. I feel my life has been enriched for having read it, few books have left me with such a lingering, sleep disturbing feeling of fulfilment. High Praise maybe, and the subject matter is original to say the least, but either way I would recommend this as essential reading to anyone.
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Middlesex
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This is quite a tricky book to review. I felt the first half of the book was worth 3 stars, yet the second was easily worth 5. The first half seemed overlong, with needlessly flowery prose and I kept thinking that it could have done with a really good edit. It also seemed to be a history lesson in places rather than a novel - as though the author had a list of dates and events and was fitting the plot around them, rather than the other way round. I also have to say that Desdemona seemed a bit cliched and became worse as the book progressed! I understand that this book was more than just Cal's story, but I felt the book really came to life and was completely engrossing once Cal was on centre stage. Overall, a really good read - highly recommended.
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modern classic
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I read this book after seeing it on so many'most loved'lists,i wasnt sure what to expect as i'd read The Virgin Suicides,and although i enjoyed it,didn't think it lived up to all the '5 star' reviews.This book'however was the real deal.The style of writing reminded me a little of Louis de Bernieres latter offerings,and even,dare i say,Salman Rushdie's later works.I would heartily reccomend it to anyone, it was one of those books which i found myself reading at any given opportunity,which for me lately is pretty rare.Although the chapters aren't exactly small,I still seemed to race through them in no time.I read on average 20 books a year,and only good fiction,and this would easily make the Top 5 of probably the last 2 or 3 years.I'm not a big lover of all things American, but she certainly produces some top writers.I've been reading reviews on Amazon for a lot of years and this is the 1st time I've felt compelled to write one.Give it a go,if you enjoy good fiction,you won't be dissappointed.
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Bloated waste of time
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I was going to write down exactly what I think of this 'masterpiece' but then I read rubyroo's review of 10 May 2007 and find it impossible to put it better myself.
So all I will add is: A hugely boring exercise in smug, conceited, supremely untalented self-satisfaction. Horrific writing style ('Look at ME! I'm such a GENIUS!') and - this is my favourite bit - almost entirely about Cal's family! And not about the central, most interesting character at all! Just rushed straight throught the actual process of changing sex. Superb.
An excellent example of how to waste a brilliant premise.
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This book haunts me
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Rarely has a book so haunted me. I don't seem to be able to stop thinking about it even though I've now finished, and that's only happened twice before; once with the novel "Sophie's Choice" and once with the classic "Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens." In all three instances, I kept going back to the book, wanting to revisit it, learn more, and never let it go.
Such has been the case with Eugenides's masterpiece, "Middlesex." Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that this book is about someone born with both sexes and the operation they undergo to tranform themselves. But don't stop there; the book deals heavily with the rest of the family and what they have to go through. I can't stress this enough---do NOT be put off by the subject matter as it is expertly dealt with and totally non-offensive.
Which brings me to the writing styel. Not overly purple, Eugenides nevertheless makes his mark. While this is a commercially successful book, it has more beauty and poetry in it than you will find in your average bestseller. Yes, I liked "Kite Runner," but it was no "Middlesex." If you're looking for a couple of other fun books, might I point you in the directon of two: J.T.McCrae's "Katzenjammer" which is a wild romp that looks at the world of publishing, and Sebold's "The Lovely Bones."
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