The Marriage Plot

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a new novel in an old format

Jeffrey Eugenides’ previous book, Middlesex, was a Pulitzer Prize winning look at gender ambiguity.  It probably changed a few minds about the efficacy of others –be they clerics or Governors—determining who may marry according to gender ID. The Marriage Plot is a staple of 19th Century fiction, the title as well as a sub plot of his latest book.  This book shines a light on bi-polar mental illness, which is more common than gender ambiguity. 

While the marriage plot drives many of the characters’ actions, the story is more about commencement—moving to the next stage of adulthood. Eugenides does a convincing job of setting the stage for the story:  Commencement day at Brown University in 1982.  Even if you’re from a different time and place the universal quest these characters pursue is as recognizable as if you’d time-traveled to your own end of school days.  Establishing an adult identity is always difficult.  Even if you are beautiful, talented, and financially comfortable as one of the main character, there are still challenges. Madeline is obsessively in love with the brilliant, but difficult, bi-polar Leonard.  While Madeline tries to help Leonard regulate his condition, Mathew (a Divinity student who loves Madeline from afar) runs away searching for something.

The author takes us to a biology research lab and on a trip to India with rich, spot on descriptions.  He manages to weave the marriage plot, the quest for adulthood, and an exploration into bi-polar mental illness into one thoroughly entertaining and worthwhile novel.