Middlesex
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Middlesex - why can't I enjoy this book?
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Betsy
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rated it 4 stars
May 27, 2011 03:42PM
I LOVED this book. However, the part I liked the most was the beginning of the book...the immigrants, and why they immigrated. I almost think I would have liked it just as much without the hermaphrodite aspect.
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I should add that because I loved this book so much, I went to the library and checked out The Virgin Suicides. I was highly disappointed. Please tell me why anyone would want to read about an entire family offing themselves. Extremely depressing.
Several observations:Finally checking Wikipedia,"Two decades prior to writing Middlesex, Eugenides read Herculine Barbin, the diary of a 19th-century French hermaphrodite convent schoolgirl of the same name. Believing that the memoir evaded discussion about hermaphrodites' anatomy and emotions, he concluded he would "write the story I wasn't getting from the memoir.'"
The gene which causes Cal's problem is a real medical condition, and it's increased in certain areas of Turkey "because of the high frequency of interrelatedness" per medical articles.(Therefore, the genetic mixing of close relatives, whether from cousins marrying or some type of incest, is critical to the appearance of the condition.) The gene's also increased in certain areas of the Dominican Republic and New Guinea because of the same close interrelatedness.
Presumably Eugenides wrote the book from a Greek viewpoint because he knew more about Turkey than the DR or New Guinea. He's stated that he wrote Cal's home and life history with many parallels to his own Greek heritage and personal history. He was "writing about something far from my experience (intersex conditions) so that it seemed wise to blend that with a lot of things that I do know well, to make this story real for me, and hopefully for the reader as well." There is no indication that any of Eugenides' relatives have this condition.
What brings me up sharply is that Eugenides never interviewed any actual hermaphrodites. He studied the condition in scientific journals, microfiche (remember that!), videotapes, and letters. I know many male authors who write books from a female point of view, but they will say that they've observed quite a few women, including sisters and mothers. And, off the top of my head, Lindsey Davis has said that she keeps her Roman PI Marcus Didius Falco male by periodically checking in with her husband.
Eugenides has been criticized for this lack from intersex groups. He' also been criticized by lesbian groups for Cal/lie's saying that her longing for a female in (her) teens showed that she was really a male. Also, on the same lines, Cal's claiming that "breasts have the same effect on me that they do for any other male with my testosterone level" is not accurate.--Gay males have normal testosterone levels.
One thought about this is that Cal was born in 1960, and so hit adolescence in approx. 1974. Public acceptance of gays was much different then, and we should not judge Callie for wanting to identify as a male because (he) was attracted to women. Even though he had a lesbian aunt,(did he even know she was lesbian?--can't remember) it would still have been easier for him to identify with all the males he knew. Should EUGENIDES get a pass or be penalized for writing a story about sexual identity with ideas that seem bigoted now?
I think that Cal/lie may just be as mixed up and confused about sexual truths as any person might be and is reporting ideas s/he's come up with, in his own time and history. If there's anything that Middlesex is not, it's not a medical dissertation on intersex conditions.
Does any of this help or hinder your enjoyment of Middlesex?
teri wrote: "Ok, I'm on my second go-round with Middlesex, determined to read it because so many people I know have enjoyed it. First time I quit after first few chapters. This time I'm 2/3 through and it jus..."I didn't like it either. Just give yourself permission to stop reading. I wish I hadn't wasted my time.
Thank God! I read this for a book group, and COULD NOT finish it! I think the writing is too "cutesy", or something.
teri wrote: "Ok, I'm on my second go-round with Middlesex, determined to read it because so many people I know have enjoyed it. First time I quit after first few chapters. This time I'm 2/3 through and it jus..."If It makes you feel any better, I didn't like it either. And I grew up in Detroit! But most of the history is before my time. The story is dragged out, and the part that everyone cares about - the gender issue - is hinted to for three quarters of the book but barely addressed. Guess there's a reason you can't argue over taste.
Iain wrote: "It's very odd that some people just don't seem to recognise what a great work of literature this book is. To those people I say this: stick to James Patterson."I agree with you - it is an amazing book - so well written!!
I started this book a couple of years ago. I couldn't get through the first chapter. Last winter, I picked it up again and became engrossed in the multi-generational tale. What kept me turning pages was the fear of Calliope being discovered for his/her true self. As someone said in another post, the family history is as enthralling as Cali's life.
Betsy wrote: "I should add that because I loved this book so much, I went to the library and checked out The Virgin Suicides. I was highly disappointed. Please tell me why anyone would want to read about an en..."thanks for the heads up here Betty. I too have wanted to read the Virgin Suicides because I liked Middle sex so much but now I may skip it for other books on my wish-list.
Firstly, I would like to point out that this book is fiction. Secondly, I thought the book was okay. I didn't particularly like it, and I didn't hate it either. It was interesting, but it was somewhat of a bore to me. Not once did it grip me. That simply is the reason why I didn't really like this book.
This is one of my all-time favourites - I'm talking top three ever - and I can't explain why I love it so much but I do. I truly adore it and think it's perfect.If it's not for you, give up. But if you're only lukewarm with it, persevere! It's incredible.
Amy wrote: "This is one of my all-time favourites - I'm talking top three ever - and I can't explain why I love it so much but I do. I truly adore it and think it's perfect.If it's not for you, give up. But ..."
I'm SOOOOO with you Amy!!
I wanted to like this book and I did give it a good try but it was a tough read.
Lyla wrote: "I wanted to like this book and I did give it a good try but it was a tough read."It's so interesting how we all think. My husband also put this book down and couldn't finish it - I, on the other hand, raved about it and it's on my top 10. :)
I had to concentrate very good to read this book but in the end it was worth it....good book indeed ,for me...
This is one of those books that I'm "saving for later" when maybe just maybe I'll like it. It took me 10 years to "re" pick up The Poisonwood Bible...and I'm glad I did. Maybe Middlesex is going to be my Poisonwood Bible of this decade.
I am enthralled with the topic. The writing just left me a little cold. I didn't connect with the characters, the flow just didn't feel natural to me, and ultimately, I finished it wondering how it was such an acclaimed piece of work. I'm glad to know that so many people enjoyed it, though, because then I can rest assured that it received awards for a reason.
This book just caught me off guard I think. It truly wouldn't be the "easiest" book to catch on to unless the topic seemed enthralling to the reader. I think that your lack of interest in the book is simply because the subject matter seems unappealing. Just a further point in the argument of everyone being "different".
I felt the same way. I didn't trap me. I forced myself to read about half, then I put the book down for almost a year, then I forced myself to finish it. Which I did, and to be honest, I quite enjoyed this second round. t's just so overwhelming with story lines and descriptions, it's all very epic.
I'm with you...I made it about as far as you and decided my time was better spent elsewhere. Books are like food..some types you like but others you don't.
I just finished the book last night. what disappointed me was the last 10 pages. I mean I tremendously enjoyed the history and the background of the three generations but Eugenides keeps building it up, building it up to the self discovery climax of a hermaphrodite but was delivered very flat. and you do get to wonder, that's it? Why tell the story from the perspective of a 41 yr old male, without much of explanation how his life really changed. I think the most vital part of the story went missing.
i can understand how someone cant enjoy this book. personally, once it got to Cal's part it got more interesting. it's just long at the begining on how his grandparents met, but it all makes sense why he talks about his grandparents past because they were brother and sister so then later on in generations there would be a DNA complication (if you will). so i can see that part being somewhat boring then going through the life of his parents THEN finally to him. kind of gruling to get to the part about him.all in all, i think a reason someone would not like this book because it is a little dry as well as very longated.
teri wrote: "Ok, I'm on my second go-round with Middlesex, determined to read it because so many people I know have enjoyed it. First time I quit after first few chapters. This time I'm 2/3 through and it jus..."I liked the story of brother and sister falling in love and coming to the new world. A little strange... but I was enthralled with all the history and this family's struggle for the American dream.
I loved Middlesex and couldn't put it down. Eugenides' writing style was so unique to me; one of the better authors I've read. After finishing the book, I've read several interviews taking place during the writing of the book, explaining his painstaking process.
Trying my best to get through this book, but it's trudgery. It doesn't have me all that curious or interested. Half-way through.
I loved this book. I found it be so descriptive in the historical makeup and compelling in it's delivery of the coming of age byline. I laughed out loud more than once and I marveled at the main characters ability to make sense of his surroundings and his situation. It was wonderfully entertaining and enlightening in the descriptions of the Greek American family. I thought the story was very rich and I loved it's multi layered texture.
i agree olivia!! on my top 10 list ...
I enjoyed Middlesex but not as much as I thought I would. Friends thought it was the best book they'd ever read and I never got to that point. Overall, I enjoyed it for its history and the sweeping story. I liked and was drawn in by the characters but I was never excited about the story. I never loved the story. It wasn't like The Kite Runner or Cold Sassy Tree or The Life of Pi - all books that I simply couldn't put down.
Deborah wrote: "I do like Middlemarch but it, like most good books, just isn't everyone's cup of tea. It's a 19th century novel; is that one reason it doesn't seem accessible? Move on to something else that does g..."I'm sorry to tell you, but Middlemarch and Middlesex are totally different books!
My brief, reactional review of Middlesex is attached to my bookshelf entry if anyone is interested in knowing what I really think about it.
I think what really grabbed me first was the historical journey of the story. Eugenides paints each period with such clarity that I almost felt like I was there in that boat, or walking through that strange house for the first time, or watching that hair fall off his head during that transformative hair cut. Second, I am absolutely mesmerized with sexual orientation and identity and think that it is absolutely necessary to discuss sexuality in its entirety since so many people experience it in so many different ways. I must admit that I was more attached to the actual story of Cal and loved his journey with acceptance and love (Im such a hopeless romantic). Sexual orientation and sexual identity are very complex notions and I think this books does a splendid job of exploring this characters very difficult journey of self exploration and acceptance.
I finished this book a month ago and loved it. Absolutely loved it.
Because it's mostly in-love-with-itself Americana kitsch. I read it through to the end in hopes that the profundity feeling would arrive but it never did. Here's a blog post about the book that's somewhat enlightening: http://elizabethmcclung.blogspot.com/...
As far as I can remember, there were at least seven times when I found myself staring at this book on my shelf and subsequently taking it with a firm determination to finish this magnum opus. However, I have to admit that I did like it very much - not the ending, though, for it seemed to have been thoughtlessly stuck by a tired author, who has completely exhausted his creative powers, to the rest of the text just for the sake of having something to show to his publisher until the deadline. This is definitely a book worth reading: riveting depictions of American life at the beginning of the century, of wars, of massacres, of hopes, and of people's lives behind everything.
The strong point, for me, was the description of history during that time period. As to the plot and the main character, do sexual suspects interest you? If so, then you'll enjoy the story as well. If not, then you won't develop enough interest in the character to make it through. Eugenides is a gifted imagist, but I wonder what would happen if he tried to write a novel that was not riddled with sexual shock value.
I suggest listening on audio. It is excellent! and will color the whole story differently.
I loved this book, there is indeed the main character's angst filled youth, the way the story propells itself forward and what the reader discovers about a different kind of sexuality. Thought provoking.
I got through it, but I've read much better books about gender identity. The characters just felt so distant and unrelateable to me.
I listened to it as a download to my MP3 player and really loved it. I loved the scope of history and how it was all woven into the story. I think I also liked it because it shows a reality that has been hidden from me until recently when I discovered transgendered members of my own family. I found it one of my favorite books if only for the story telling, but the subject was simply grand to explore!
I can't believe there are people who find it hard to like Middlesex - I LOVED IT! I loved the writing, the historical references, the family dynamics, the stories of his parents when they first came to the US, and Cal's internal struggles as well. It was beautifully written, it was humorous, and I could not put it down. By far, one of the best novels I have ever read.
I "read" this book on CD. It was a little weird but I enjoyed it. Puberty is painful enough when you are not in the dark about which sex you are.
I just finished this, and I loved it. That doesn't mean if you don't like it that you should struggle through it. Life's too short people, just read what you want to read, and if you can't get into a book, abandon it!
It may be a book you either get or don't. What's beautiful is the subtle humor, the historic reach, and the actual journey toward enlightenment. I loved the book but its not a part-time read.
It's been some time ago that I read this book and I can say I didn't like it but thought it was a good book. Like all art forms there is more to them than like/dislike.
Shereese - I completely agree with you. You have covered the reasons why I loved Middlesex as well.
Joyce wrote: "I listened to it as a download to my MP3 player and really loved it. I loved the scope of history and how it was all woven into the story. I think I also liked it because it shows a reality that ..."I loved it as audio. I am one of the only, it seems, who found it hilarious. I really think the author intended humor in in because it was such an adolescence! really adolescence is funny. We are all so awkward. I loved the openness and the language and the breadth of scope. Such a good book.
I remember having a hard time getting into this book; a co-worker said to me, "just keep going and it'll get better." I found it did get better, and I ended up loving the book; solely because I loved the strength of Caliope's character...but that being said I completely get why this book wasn't everyone's cup of tea. For all it's good points, there were certainly some slow moving ones as well....and I always thought the ending could have been better....
teri wrote: "Ok, I'm on my second go-round with Middlesex, determined to read it because so many people I know have enjoyed it. First time I quit after first few chapters. This time I'm 2/3 through and it jus..."Although I thoroughly loved the book, this book isn't for everyone. Don't try to force it on yourself. I loved the literary references and the structure. I loved the culture, the history of a family and how that history altered every aspect of one specific person in a major way. I found Eugenides to be an artist in his writing. But just like not everyone likes Picasso, and some may think John William Waterhouse too whimsical, and maybe Bryan Collins is too loud for your tastes... Eugenides work is unique and complex and takes just the right reader in just the right mood. I think if I had read this at a different time in my life than when I did I could not have appreciated it the same way.
Did not like it either-- who needs to read about 14 year olds having sex-- yuck.
my wife has tried to read this book 3 times and has not managed to read it. I loved the novel although i can understand that the first 50 pages are very difficult to get past.
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