Middlesex: Chapter 1-7

[Winter, Group Reads]

This is the discussion thread for Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides Chapter 1-7

That covers:

The Silver Spoon
Matchmaking
An Immodest Proposal
The Silk Road
Henry Ford's English-Language Melting Pot
Minotaurs
Marriage on Ice

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I'm only about halfway through this section but wanted to share my thought so far. I really enjoy the author's writing style. The book is much more interesting than I thought it would be.

[SarahKat, Buddy Reads]

I am enjoying this more than I thought I would. Parts of it are a little less than interesting and I've found myself having to reread a page or two because I hadn't been paying attention. I really like Desdemona. (view spoiler)[ Her struggle with life is well-written. She struggles with the guilt of incest, especially when she finds out why it's so taboo. She then struggles with some other things I won't mention here because it's actually in chapter 8. (hide spoiler)] I think she's a much more rounded character than Lefty. Even though we get some things from his point of view, he seems very passive, and not at odds with himself or the world. He's just doing what he has to do in order to survive and provide.

I wonder if it seems that way because of the stereotypical personalities of men and women. Women think about everything. Men think about one thing at a time. Like that video about women's brains being a big ball of wire where everything is connected and men's brains are separate boxes with only thing in each box.

If that is the intent, I think it makes a nice dichotomy with the narrator of the story. "Here is a woman. Here is a man. Then there's me."

Disclaimer: I am in no way saying that men are not well-rounded human beings.

[Rachelnyc]

So glad people are enjoying this so far. This book made me a fan of Eugenidis and is still my favorite of his.

I couldn't find my old paperback copy of the book and there was a surprisingly long wait to borrow the ebook from my library but I am finally next on the list and am hoping it's available by the end of the week as I'm eager to re-read it!

[Jenn]

I've been listening to this on audio and like others, I'm surprised how much I've enjoyed it so far. I like the style and the narration on audio is great too.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I finished the first seven chapters. The story is very interesting so far and the settings of Smyrna at the end of the Greco-Turkish War and Depression-Era Detroit have been fascinating. I found the parts where the Ford Company employees visited and inspected workers' homes to be disturbing - I never would have believed that would have happened but unfortunately at the rate our civil liberties are disappearing I could see it happening again in the future. The characters are richly developed. Is Lefty less complex than Desdemona, or do they just think and worry about different things? Desdemona is haunted by the secrets they keep but Lefty seems to have set their past aside.

[Rachelnyc]

My library copy finally came through and I just finished these first 7 chapters. Now I'm remembering why I liked it so much the first time around. The writing is really wonderful.

"One of my favorite things about this book is how Eugenides integrates historical events into the narrative. I felt it was so expertly done, the book never felt weighed down by it or dull. I thought he really brought history to life, albeit, in a fictional story, but it made me aware of many things I hadn't previously known at all or very little."

Kristin, I was planning to write something similar. This is like a master's class is writing historical fiction. It's a genre that is often maligned because much of it is so poorly done or contains very little actual history. The author does such a wonderful job here of integrating history into the story.

Sarahkat, I agree that in the beginning Lefty doesn't seem like much of a well rounded character but I feel like we're starting to get to know him now. Desdemona definitely continues to be more interesting though.

[Jennifer]

I am really struggling with this book so far. It is just not grabbing my interest. Maybe it’s life’s distractions but it’s taken me a week just to get through this first few chapters. Hoping it grabs me soon.

[Rachelnyc]

Jennifer wrote: "I am really struggling with this book so far. It is just not grabbing my interest. Maybe it’s life’s distractions but it’s taken me a week just to get through this first few chapters. Hoping it gra..."

I hate when that happens. Maybe put it down and read something else for a couple days and try to come back to it to see if it sparks more interest?

[Ilona]

I am now halfway through Marriage on Ice, and it is a very slow read also for me. But maybe this is not the best book to read on commute to work.

I am liking the story and characters, but I can't seem to get used to the writing style. Also, I would love to read more about the narrator and less about his grandparents, but I hope the book will get there in the end.

[Megan]

I'm enjoying the writing a lot more than I expected. I like the little tangents and how he ties his story to that of his grandparents. It's almost like having someone tell the story rather than just reading it. Really good so far!

[Rachelnyc]

Megan wrote: "I'm enjoying the writing a lot more than I expected. I like the little tangents and how he ties his story to that of his grandparents. It's almost like having someone tell the story rather than jus..."

Yes, exactly! I feel like this book felt more like an actual memoir than most novels that feature a narrator.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I'm definitely reading this at a slower pace than I read most other books. I like the author's writing style and find myself slowing down because I don't want to miss anything. I'm almost done with the next section so I'll post my future story comments to that thread.

[Kristy]

Randy wrote: "I'm definitely reading this at a slower pace than I read most other books. I like the author's writing style and find myself slowing down because I don't want to miss anything. I'm almost done with..."

I agree with you about the writing style and how it makes me want to savor each word. I am enjoying this much more than I thought I would.

I just finished the Silk Road chapter. I loved the story of the princess and the silkworm cocoon and comparisons to Newton had me laughing with delight. I can certainly see why this book won a Pulitzer.

[Joan]

I finally had time to start this. I read the first seven chapters. It is definitely an interesting book. I agree with everyone about Desdemona. I like her character. I can't wait till we get to Cal's portion though.