Buddy Reading: The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

[K.D.]

Join me and Marian in our buddy reading of this Eugenides' third novel: THE MARRIAGE PLOT.

For intro, click here: Wiki entries.



Start Date: Tuesday, April 23

Speed: 1 chapter a day

Looking forward to reading a book with you again, Marian. :)

[☼Marian☼, loves book-o]

Same here KD. :) It's been quite a while since we read a book together :)

[K.D.]

There are only 6 chapters, Marian.

Shall we do it 2 days per chapter?

Six days seem to be too rushed up for me to finish a book that I think will be interesting.

[☼Marian☼, loves book-o]

2 days per chapter then ;)

[K.D.]

Thanks, Marian :)

I am now on page 88. I think I'll be able to post my thoughts for Chapter 1 tomorrow morning.

[K.D.]

Day 1: Chapter 1 - A Madman in Love (p. 1 to 127)

Very readable and hard to put down. I just came from hard-to-read book, Fernando Pessoa's The Book of Disquiet so reading this one is a breeze. Good that I am also on a 3-11pm shift today so I have all the time in the world (to wake up late reading in bed) this morning.

We meet Madeleine, who is graduating from college. It is 1982 and I could somehow relate to them because I graduated from college in 1984 but of course I was in Baguio and they (the characters) here are in the US. Madeleine is in love with a nerdy guy (who is good in bed) Leonard. But they break off because Leonard belittles Madeleine's feeling in that scene when Madeleine says "I love you" during their fantastic sexual intercourse. So, Madeleine, feeling lonely, gives blowjob to another guy at the eve of their graduation. Then there is this fourth guy (third actually because the 2nd guy is just seemingly an extra), Mitchell who is confident that he has a chance with Madeleine because her parents like him a lot. But Madeleine seems not to be interested sexually on him even if Madeleine enters the room with no clothes except a long shirt one night that Mitchell is in her parents house.

I like the references to literary books. Madeleine is a liberal arts senior and of course she knows all those good books. That's what makes the reading enjoyable. Well, the sex scenes are nice too. :)

[☼Marian☼, loves book-o]

Hahaha! I'm not yet done and so far, I'm liking it. I feel comfort in reading Eugenides. I don't know if I'm halfway done since I didn't skimmed, but I was smirking throughout most of the pages.

[☼Marian☼, loves book-o]

That's a breeze. My copy has 61 pages for its 1st chapter. Honestly, I feel tempted to read the rest. tee-hee...

and so...Day 1: A Madman in Love

The title came from Madeleine's honors seminar: the Marriage Plot. In the west, the days when marriage is sacred is a bygone. She also mentioned the reasons of its decline: sexual equality and divorce. Which I think is the most talked about issues in the 80's, where radical feminists flood the streets with "pro-abortion","we want equality" placards.
I like their class discussions in spite of the fact that it made me feel absolutely illiterate. At least I'm learning from a book which discusses about books and characters who talks about great literary characters.
Okay...so Billy stretching his penis is hilarious. Outright weird. That threesome Madeleine witnessed is pretty hot. Then she had a narcissistic boyfriend, Dabney. A trophy boyfriend with a mannequin for a brain. Its amusing how Madeleine resort to subtleties for him to realize things.
I see Madeleine's character in real life. An intelligent lady born from middle-high class parents. I had this impression that only or most people who takes advanced degree in Literature are those who can afford not to make it their source of living. Those who fit perfectely with this character are those whose opinion matters.

I wonder if Madeleine voiced out Eugenides thoughts about most semiotic theorists. That most of them (like Eco??) are bullied, overlooked and they usually vent out their childhood rage by demoting authors.

That adjectives talk with Leonard made me thought of Noranian and Vilmanian. LOL.

[K.D.]

Marian,
I have this edition:


I bought this when there was no paperback yet (Dec 2011) but I just did not have the motivation to read it right away. That's why when I saw your invite for buddy read, I responded immediately.

I have this love-hate feeling for Madeleine. Sometimes I feel for her, sometimes I find her just crazy and immature. She loves Leonard but sometimes it is too much that she destroys herself in the process. Are they really rich? Maybe middle class Americans? Well, here in the Philippines, I think they can be considered as rich already.

I guess you have the point on Eugenides' thoughts about semiotics being aired through Madeleine or even Leonard. That's one thing that I like about reading books by great writers. I can peek into their brains!

I am now on page 210 (Chapter 2) 30 pages prior to Chapter 3. I think I'll be able to post my thoughts for Chapter 2 tomorrow morning. The book is just nice and easy. I am not jumping up and down but it is nice to have a reading buddy in English again. Good morning!

[☼Marian☼, loves book-o]

Good morning to you too!

Are there any character similarities with other classic novel characters?

[K.D.]

Marian, that hasn't crossed my mind yet. Oh well, I think Madeleine has some minor similarities with Isabel Archer in Henry James' The Portrait of a Lady but it is too early to tell whether she will behave the same because Isabel Archer did some brave decisions in the end. Also, Isabel Archer is the one traveling abroad and not it his book's case, Mitchell, one of her lovers.

Day 3: Chapter 2 - Pilgrims (up to page 227)

I will not go into details so as not to spoil your fun, Marian. But if Chapter 1 (A Madman in Love) seems like centered on Leonard, he is the madman but if you really think about it, they (the three of them) are all like mad people for me. Here in Chapter 2 (Pilgrims) however, is more about Mitchell and his backpacking adventures in Europe on his way to India.

That's all for now. I will wait for your thoughts and will respond accordingly.

BTW, do you want me to pause so you can catch up?

[☼Marian☼, loves book-o]

Yep, Leonard is the madman in love in chapter 1. Maddy was psychologically swamped over their break up, but has gotten over it after learning that Leonard had worst. I think Mitchell is the only sane person here come chapter 2. As the chapter title, Mitchell is the pilgrim. Larry's girlfriend, Claire was amusing at first but became tiring after all her feminist views. That rockets, airplanes, skyscrapers and everything cylindrical was invented by a misogynist. Honestly, I can't stand all those feminist talks. I like how Mitchell pointed out that God is genderless, that God is beyond human understanding,(view spoiler)[which made me remember a story said by St. Augustine comparing man's capacity to understand God,to a boy who tries to capture as much seawater in his basin-like hole in the sand. That God is as vast as the sea and human intelligence can only hold so much, confined within our standards (hide spoiler)]. I felt sorry for Maddy. Her regret of being with Leonard. It was clear to her. She has her own ideal man and being with a man who is taking lithium, manic depressive, tasting metallic, smelling like an ash tray,like, all the time is not what she hoped for, but that's what she got. She loved Leonard's brain but he is too intelligent for his own good. Comparing Mitchell and Leonard, Mitchell is more composed, can easily adapt, and less remorseful. I enjoyed reading Mitchell's musings in Europe. From Mother Theresa, St. Theresa of Avila. One I particularly liked is how Mitchell see himself in Tolstoy's human predicament.

In spite of having read The Virgin Suicides and Middlesex, Eugenides still surprises me with his narration. Like, when I was so engrossed reading about Maddy, then on the next paragraph, after reading 2 sentences, I was like "Oh, its about Mitchell now". There is no pause. It flows. Oh, and Greek characters. There's always something Greek. The mention of that family therapy made me think about the Lisbon family, dysfunctional and absolutely weird, but here its a version of a Lisbon family who acknowledges the problem and decided to act upon it.



Nah, don't slow down. I can keep up. ;)

[☼Marian☼, loves book-o]

Day 4: Chapter 3 - Brilliant Move

This chapter is all about Leonard's POV. Leonard and Madeleine's relationship was reversed, this time it was Leonard who got clingy and he has all the sane reason to be one. I mean, given his mental condition, no one can love him with patience other than Maddy. He kept blaming his parents, his childhood on why he ended up manic depressive. Sure, he's got an fortunate family history, but he is already an adult. Eugenide's did not show compassion in Leonard's character. The chapter title, Brilliant Move, is Leonard's progress to recovery. He started to face his depression head-on by making himself a Science experiment. Tweaking his dosages here and there without his psychiatrist's permission is a risk but I must admit, it was a brilliant move. His body responded positively. He took advantage of his mania. Taking out all his energy through losing weight. He finally lost his bison hump ( I like that term..bison hump. Very apt). At the end of this chapter, Leonard finally got his mojos back! Maddy was surprised with his hardness. After they had sex, Leonard proposed, which I don't think is a brilliant move.

On this chapter, I saw a lot of character similarities with Bronte's Jane Eyre. To point out:

*Leonard as Mr. Rochester before the accident (a byronic hero), Leonard on the first chapter & Mr. Rochester after the accident, Leonard, the manic depressive.

*Mitchell - St. John Rivers, the clergy man. He also travelled to India.

*Madeleine- shared Jane Eyre's traits. Passionate and love for freedom. Jane Eyre is from Victorian era while Madeleine was leaning to pursue her Victorian literature

*Madeleine-Mitchell's chemistry, somehow coincides with Jane & St. John Rivers

*Jane Eyre's struggle between her attraction to Mr. Rochester & being morally upright, is like the same struggle with Maddy's relationship with Leonard to remain faithful, and her attraction to Mitchell.

[K.D.]

Marian, I am glad that you are enjoying this book. I also find it okay not only because it is easy to read but also because of the semblance of Eugenides' writing flair that I saw in his earlier 2 novels.

I am also liking the references to the 80's. PHisoderm is mentioned in one of the pages and I used to work in this multinational company in the 80's to early 90's and PHisoderm was one of our products and I used to compound (mix) the ingredients when I was in the company (fresh from college).

Day 5 - Chapter 3 - Brilliant Move (up to p. 293)

The chapter is about Leonard. I particularly like the Leonard's POV of the break-up when Madeleine said "I love you" when she is climaxing (in Chapter 1). In that chapter, it was Madeleine's POV. I oftentimes like this kind of storytelling.

I agree the similarities of the story to Jane Eyre that you pointed out. I like that book. But there is no crazy woman in the attic for Leonard? :)

[K.D.]

Day 7 - Chapter 4 - Asleep in the Lord (up to p. 328)

This chapter is about Mitchell and his life as a volunteer in a hospital for the dying in India. It reminded me of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love minus the sugar. I mean, here the traveling Mitchell attends to the dying man with a gruesome cancer in the man's testes. You should not read this while you are munching something. I like this part:

"The problem is, no matter how much we try to be good, we cannot be good enough. So Luther says you must be justified by faith. But, hey, read some Nietzsche if you want to know about this idea. Nietzsche thought Martin Luther was just making it easy on everybody. Don't worry if you can't do good works, people. Just believe. Have faith. Faith will justify you! Right? Maybe, maybe not. Nietzsche just thought there was only one Christian and that was Christ. After him, it was finished."

I have to read about these philosophers. :)

Also in this chapter is where Mitchell wrote a letter to Madeleine asking her not to marry Leonard. What do I feel about this love triangle? I dunno. I don't feel anything for them. I think Madeleine is better not to be with either of the two guys. She is too confused to begin a marriage life properly.

[☼Marian☼, loves book-o]

Oh yeah, I forgot about Bertha. Tee-hee..

Same here. Its like the love triangle is there because Mitchell and Leonard acknowledged each others presence in Maddy's life, but they both loved her in different levels, which made the "love" part disconnect. Plus Mitchell is 1000 miles away from the action.

Day 7 Chapter 4- Asleep in the Lord

I didn't like this part because of all the diseases and filth. Mitchell tried to do what most of the volunteers do, but he just can't stomach it. I hope Maddy will heed Mitchell's advice. Actually, I don't want her to marry anyone of them. Feels like she's better off alone.

[K.D.]

Day 9: Chapter 5 - And Sometimes They Were Sad (up to page 383)

Madeleine marries Leonard obviously because of sex. She gets warnings not to marry him from his parents and earlier from Mitchell. But she loves Leonard despite his condition: manic depression. Their honeymoon in Paris is a disaster. They come back to New York and on the night when the newlyweds get their flat is the last time they are together at least as couple.

I wonder what Leonard and Mitchell talk about in one of the rooms in the party house. I think this will be revealed in the next (the last chapter). Can't wait to find out.

Overall, this chapter is the best. Why? The sex scenes. They are really wonderful hahaha! :) Joke. But really, they make the reading less boring.

[☼Marian☼, loves book-o]

DAY 9: CHAPTER 5- AND SOMETIMES THEY WERE SAD

On what Leonard thought as a brilliant move before, the proposal, is actually a big mistake.I hated Maddy for not heeding out her parents advice. I wonder what happened to Mitchell's letter. Did Leonard thrown it? Did he read it and made sure Maddy won't see it? I refuse to be content that it was lost.
Haha! the sex scenes. I must agree. It broke the boredom. Maddy can't hardly walk. Doing it multiple times a day. Noisier. Oh, and that spanking. hahahaha! Maybe this is the only aspect where Maddy was thankful in their married life. The rest is a disaster.
Okay, I'm going to keep this short because I already want to start reading the next chapter. :)

[K.D.]

Marian, I also did not know what happened to that letter. Obviously, Madeleine did not receive it. Maybe lost in the mail? I lost track.

Day 11: Chapter 6 - The Bachelorette's Survival Kit (up to page 406)

Done with the book. With Leonard finally gone (he is still alive and according to his mother has just always been like that - theatrical) Mitchell goes back to Madeleine's parents' house. However, even if Mitchell still loves Madeleine, he does not propose at all. This makes their story, this story, different from the marriage plots of Austen, Eliot and James. According to Madeleine, who is a liberal arts graduate, there is no book with marriage plot like this. Well, oh, well. I am glad this book is over because it is boring hahaha.

I am thinking of giving this a 1 star (I didn't like it) but I guess I should read reviews and write-ups first just to see if I missed anything.

Marian, thank you so much for being a wonderful buddy. Not too great a book for us to really converse and enjoy ourselves but there are many other books which we can read together. Just name the book and if I have it in my tbr, I'll go for it with you.

[☼Marian☼, loves book-o]

Same here. Done. Contrary to your 1 star, I rated it 4. It was supposedly 3.75 because I kept comparing it to his first 2, which I did not hesitate a 4 and 5 stars. For me, it was good. But there's something off that I can't seem to point out. Feels like its a bit pretentious.