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Middlesex, Book Three
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Alison, the guru of grace
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Mar 15, 2009 09:49PM
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I read this part in the car on a long road trip and there were a couple of parts that made me blush! My grandma saw me reading the book and asked me what it was about and all I could think about were the scenes with Callie and the Object. It made me really begin to feel for Callie and I loved how the author made you feel for her in so many situations she was placed in.
I haven't finished this section yet, but I was wondering if anyone knows about the house in historical context. Like, were people really building homes like this in the early 1900's? Is there supposed to be a real architect that the house is mimicking the work of? I'm really curious now, plus I'd love to see pictures of homes like this.
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Gwynne wrote: "I haven't finished this section yet, but I was wondering if anyone knows about the house in historical context. Like, were people really building homes like this in the early 1900's? Is there suppo..."Gwynne - in the book the architect was presented as a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright, who was definitely designing and building his famous Prairie homes (very like the house described in the book) during the early 20th century. I'd bet that there are tours of some of the Prairie homes in Chicago. Wright was known for designing homes that were compatible with their environment. There is a beautiful house called Falling Water in Western PA near Ohiopyle that offers tours. What a great symbol for the tarnished American Dream, the purchase of an ultra moderne style house aging and falling into disrepair.
As compelling as the story is, I keep getting sidetracked by the writing. But in a good way. I was particularly taken by the scene where Callie, on her bike, follows the tank to the diner during the riots. I'm old enough to remember the Detroit riots, but then it was just a news story, tragic, but removed. I am so impressed with the way Eugenides is able, sometimes in just a phrase or paragraph, to capture the historical moment in such personal and human terms.
Thank you, Deborah. My family and I are moving cross country this summer, and I think I'm going to try and make that house on the way.
Gwynne wrote: "Thank you, Deborah. My family and I are moving cross country this summer, and I think I'm going to try and make that house on the way."Gwynne - Falling Water would be a great stop on a cross country trip. There's a beautiful park at Ohiopyle with camping and white water rafting, if you're into that kind of stuff.
I'm finally almost finished with part three. But I have to admit by the time I got to the narrator's story... I was sad that the other stories were over, so to speak. During parts one and two, I kept forgetting what the main story is actually about. :) Though I have trouble with the writing at times, I am still enjoying it. And, I'm in Chicago at the moment.... so it's fun to have the connection. :) I think I would have loved their house.... Sorry for this reference if anyone is against Stephanie Meyer's book... but has anyone seen the Twilight movie.... I think of the Cullin's house when I'm reading Middlesex. All those windows. :)
Finished part three on my trip. I was reading parts of it on the plane home.... definitely can relate to the blushing, Lindsey.... I kept wanting to post a note on my book so that the people would know.... It's a classic... I'm not doing anything wrong. :) On to part 4.... Finally starting to catch up.
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What is the significance of Cal's brother being called Chapter Eleven?
Haley, Chapter Eleven refers to the bankruptcy law in the US - the character in the book ruins their father's company, so it's symbolic of his actions. I don't remember how the name choice was explained in the book... it's been a long time since I read it, and I wasn't that big a fan. Hope that helps though. :)
