Middlesex - why can't I enjoy this book?

[Val]

Download the audio from your library and listen to it. It is one of the best audio books around.

[Joyce]

Yes, it was one of the best ever audio books!

[Jim]

I loved this book. I thought that it was a great "yarn" that covered several generations. I was a youth in the '60s, and remember tv news showing Army tanks going through the streets of not only Detroit but Chicago. Now, couple that with the girl riding her bicycle behind a tank with all the fumes - reminds me of us kids riding bikes or running behind the mosquito abatement trucks in our neighborhood. I also liked the thread of characters who kept showing up in different situations in different ages. This is a great, fun book to read.

[Anitha]

I read the book with big expectations because of the pultizer prize and all. But like you, I didn't find it interesting at all. There's so little about Cal and his sexuality, everything else is this big family history. True, he's trying to trace the genes. Even so. That said, I totally loved 'Virgin Suicides' by the same author.

[Michelle]

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..."

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..."

Hi there, sometimes we pick up a book and we just can't get into it. Put it down and try another time when you are in the mood. If you still don't like it then obviously its not the type of book that you like, or enjoy. So give it away.....don't freak out just because you can't read it and other people enjoy it...we all are different in what we like to read.

[Andrea]

Anitha wrote: "I read the book with big expectations because of the pultizer prize and all. But like you, I didn't find it interesting at all. There's so little about Cal and his sexuality, everything else is thi..."

I find it interesting that you thought there was so little about his sexuality. When I was reading, I got quite the opposite. His re-telling of his family history IS about his sexuality. He's desperately trying to answer the questions Why Am I The Way I Am? Who Am I? What Am I? All of those things are addressed in the history.

[Coralie]

Kirsten wrote: "I always describe it to people as an epic novel: the swath of time and history covered, the tortured hero, the strange twists along the way, and a certain Gothic feel. But I tend to be drawn to bo..."

I loved this book. I thought the history of the Greek family explained the decisions they made about their child. They did the best they could in that time and place. I also loved that Cali also did the best s(he) could in that situation, and didn't end up using the situation as an excuse to give up. I hated "On the Road" and **really** hate Faulkner's writing. Good thing there's so much American writing to choose from - and that we all have different tastes!

[Coralie]

Anitha wrote: "I read the book with big expectations because of the pultizer prize and all. But like you, I didn't find it interesting at all. There's so little about Cal and his sexuality, everything else is thi..."

This is one of the things I liked about this book. The focus was less on his sexuality than with his identity and the other issues that surrounded the way he was born. This points out the truth that there are more elements in gender issues than just sexuality.

[Pamela]

I finished this book and threw it in the garbage! First half was great- Second half horrible!

[Nancy]

As a native of the Detroit area, I really appreciated the history and local flavor woven throughout the story, as well as the insider's view of a colorful ethnic community.

[Wendy]

I read this book a very long time ago and although I found it an odd book, I read it was originally because I suspected that a friend of mine, who also happened to be from Malta, was like the character in the book. As it turns out, this book opened my eyes in a lot of ways to what "he" had and was living through and with. It allowed me to open up the conversation with him to help him ultimately with some of his life choices.

[Margaret]

Tastes differ. I don't like horror novels or conspiracy novels much.

I did read and enjoy Middlesex, but then ambiguity interests me, so I was drawn to the subject.

It took me a long time to give myself permission to NOT read books that weren't to my taste. Go ahead and finish if you like, but don't beat yourself over the head because you don't enjoy the book.

[Amy]

My bookclub took the challenge of reading different genres each month and this fell under the category of LGBT. I was curious and couldn't stop questioning the characters throughout the book, but I finished it.

[Paul]

Like many here, I couldn't get on with this book, and similarly, I couldn't really elucidate on why that was, as the subject is intriguing, and apposite to today's debate on sexuality and 'normality.' I'm almost tempted to try it again, as I have done so with other books and been rewarded. I also didn't care enough about the main character to become engrossed in the book. Should I try this book again with some enlightened perspective from a Goodread advocate of this book?

[Sandra]

I finished the book recently and it took me a while to get into it..it has taken me a few tries to finish, but I was determined lol..it is a little slow in the beginning and takes a while to get to the point, but there is some beauty to that...

[Jacqueline]

I had a hard time with the book, so I switched to the audio version and it was really good.

[Val]

Jacqueline wrote: "I had a hard time with the book, so I switched to the audio version and it was really good."


I loved, loved this book BUT I listened to the audio!

[Elizabeth]

I had a hard time getting into this book, and had it for a year, gave it away, and got it again. I still haven’t completely finished it. It’s really hard to read, but I keep moving through it because it secretly promises that something amazing is going to happen and if I don’t push through I will totally miss it. I am afraid I will miss it! If I don’t finish it this time I am going to scream. I have read other books like this, that were just as hard to get into, but the next time I picked them up I got through and absolutely loved them. This is my hope for Middlesex.

[Shane]

Sometimes listening to advance hype sets up expectations such that they lead to disappointment when one doesn't agree with most folks. In my case, I never really got into this book or its characters - I didn't think that the author justified his choice of using a hermaphrodite as a main character/narrator: it seemed gimmicky. But the writing was wonderful in places, and the last part became something of a page-turner.

[Timothy]

Good back story about Greek immigrants. But the main character: totally unsympathetic.

[Margo]

Val wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "I had a hard time with the book, so I switched to the audio version and it was really good."


I loved, loved this book BUT I listened to the audio!"

Good idea -

[Lisa]

Maybe it is just not your cup of tea. I personally hated The Shadow of the Wind and The Book Thief which are wildly popular books. We all have different personalities, interests and life experiences that draw us to a particular book.... or not!

[Jorge E.]

This book was pretty boring

[Angel]

I listened to the audio version and found it hilarious. The narrator reminded me of Billy Crystal with many different family character. I can see how this book might be a difficult read. I thought it was a great book but would recommend the audio.

[Margaret]

I've enjoyed listening to David Sedaris read his stuff on NPR and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I doubt I'd find it as funny if I were to read it.

[Ashley]

This book was pretty boring. Over explanation of everything. Pretty awful flow. Didn't read as nicely as Virgin Suicides.

[Marta]

I read Middlesex all the way through because my group book chose it, but the characters were not likeable, so I didn't enjoy it quite as much as others seemed to. I can tell the writer has talent, but I'm not going to hurry to the bookstore for another of his books any time soon. And I won't read Middlesex again.

[[deleted user]]

Eliza wrote: "I just finished this book (literally 10 minutes ago), and I really enjoyed it throughout. I loved the writing, especially the subtle humor, and I loved Callipe. I love how she is so normal, despi..."
This book leads you to believe it is about a hermaphrodite, but to me it was mostly about the history of his family. I didn't need to know so much about how he/she came about being one I wanted more of what it was like living that way. Pre and post. I hate when a books synopsis is misleading.
I felt the book Falling Into You by Jasina Wilder was like that too. It should have been called Falling into bed with you. I was expecting a more traditional romance, but really it was about two extremely damaged characters. So, even though it was a decent book for what it was, I was disappointed. I pick books like I pick music to suit my mood.

[Karen]

I think books that challenge our belief system, moral or religious code, or societies current values came make us uncomfortable. And this book focus on sex identity, the immigrants journey and change, the generations of the family. When we read books that seem alien to our mind set we sometimes struggle to find a coonection. This book is one of my all time favorites.

[Aisling]

Middlesex is one of my all-time favourite books. Maybe it was that the concept was so alien & challenging that it gripped me totally. To this day I can tell you exactly where I was when I read it.
But, as with any book, it isn't everybodys cup of tea.
Personally I just could not "get" The Virgin Suicides at all & I'm fully aware so many readers love it & consider it his best book. That's the joy of reading so many opinions - all equally valid.

[Eden]

Until a few days ago, this was the only book that I downright refused to finish (and I only had about 20 pages left). I kept reading because a friend kept telling me to "keep reading", "it's great", "it gets better". Even though I was almost done, I was just so angry that I had read so much of the book, against my better judgement, that I just said the heck with it. This was several years ago, so I don't even really remember what I didn't like so much anymore. I know I didn't find anything objectionable, I just found it boring. The only parts I remember liking were when they went into the family's Greek history. I just kept reading because I WANTED to like it. I felt like I was supposed to like it, but I just didn't.

[Margaret]

Eden, for years I finished every book I started, even when I disliked/was bored by/or whatever/ it. Now I give myself permission to put the !! thing down if I need to. It's enormously liberating.

[Nyie]

actually,at first sight i read this book,it's make me thinking so much about love&lust.both of them can not remove in this life.

[Palmyrah]

I just enjoy reading about how the other half-and-half lives.

But seriously, it wasn't so much a question of enjoying Middlesex, for me, as of being captivated, horrified and compelled by it. All that suffering! A young couple make an incestuous marriage, then become victims of state-approved ethnic cleansing, then a child is born who is a hermaphrodite and is subjected to terrible abuse and torture in the name of 'curing' him/her. Who then has to go and and try to find a way to live life somehow, and is still trying, albeit hopefully, when the book ends. It is a genuinely tragic story, and it has the cathartic effects of tragedy.

It is, of course, a mythologising take on the immigrant experience, the outsider trying to fit in. It is a story about becoming American. Quite a lot of stuff in there, really, to catch one's interest.

[Timothy]

Loved the Greek backstory. Did not find the main character sympathetic at all. Actually disliked him/her/it. Got a third into it and said: bye bye.

[Rachel]

I couldn't make it through the book either. I think the problem is editorial. Euginedes writing is brilliant in places, mediocre in others and in places almost impossible to follow. It felt like his editor went on vacation every other chapter. Just my humble opinion.

[Sam]

Simply put, the authors writing!

[Sukanya Juno]

This is not an unputdownable book. It starts off as an interesting read and then it dwindles. It took me effort to finish it.

[Diane]

I am struggling with this book right now! I am interested in the story. People (whose opinion I trust) loved it themselves and rated it well. But I keep putting it down. It's been several days and I'm only on pg 55 LoL

I think it's the writing style. I don't mind a book that jumps around between people and time, as long as it is clear. But this feels garbled to me. There are a lot of names. Is it necessary to remember them all? Are all of these people going to be in present-day America?? It also seems at times that the punctuation is weird. I don't know. It's frustrating me.

I think I'm going to give it 100-150 pgs, then I'm out.

[Jim]

Diane wrote: "I am struggling with this book right now! I am interested in the story. People (whose opinion I trust) loved it themselves and rated it well. But I keep putting it down. It's been several days and ..."

My wife is from Detroit, and she talks about the City's history all the time. I've had to read about it to keep up with her. This book is spot on with historical references. There are scoundrels, and there are good people in it. She loved the book, and so did I. Try reading on. Keep tabs on the characters because they are there throughout the book. Enjoy it if you can.

[Diane]

Jim wrote: "Diane wrote: "I am struggling with this book right now! I am interested in the story. People (whose opinion I trust) loved it themselves and rated it well. But I keep putting it down. It's been sev..."

Good to know Jim. I appreciate the response. I'm still reading! 👍🏻

[Marta]

I read the book years ago when it came out in 2002. At the time, I discussed it with a few other readers, but to tell the truth, it left me empty in the end. Maybe those characters were authentic, but not reached me. After all these years, I remember very little about the characters, so unlike the truly great novels, it just didn't stay with me. Go with your guts. We don't all like the same things.

[Alison]

I also did not really get into Middlesex until about 250 pages into it, with many months in between. The long sections about the grandparents were too long for the main story, about Callie. If the book had shed about 100 to 150 pages, especially in the beginning it would have been perfect.