Middlesex: A Novel (Oprah's Book Club)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Middlesex. The plot is incredibly original and keeps you hooked from start to finish. The novel beautifully narrates the story of three generations of a Greek immigrant family in the U.S., weaving in a family secret that gradually comes to light. The characters are rich and the storytelling is compelling—truly a captivating read.

I was assigned to read Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides in my English Literature class this semester (spring 2008). I was rather apprehensive because I knew it was going to be about a controversial subject, or so I thought. My son had read it a few years ago and told me to read it with an open mind, so I did. Of course, there were times when you had to keep your emotions on the surface and not think too deeply about certain situations, but on the whole I found it to be an informative and enlightening text. Believe it or not, I was not familiar with what a hermaphrodite is even though I am a 53 year old mother of three. (I am a non-traditional student.) The narration was very creative and enjoyable to read. The history and experiences of the three generations of the Stephanides family was intriguing and interesting. Reading about Callie's feelings as her life evolved from childhood, through her/his teens, and then into his adulthood gave me a new respect and compassion for individuals who have to deal with similar situations where they are not part of the mainstream where gender is concerned. As a person realizes that they are different, it is very painful and traumatizing for them to undergo the changes they have to in order to survive both emotionally and physically. As ignorant (meaning not properly educated) individuals, we tend to stereotype these people and we can be very cruel to them. What they really need is for us to try to understand and accept them. What if something like this would have happened to you or me? Is this something we could have changed? It certainly isn't a conscious choice that is being made in these people's lives. So read Middlesex with an open mind and enjoy the story. It is a good read and Callie will find a place in your heart!

I plunged into Middlesex the way I prefer to do all of my fiction reading - without knowing anything about the book - and I am so very grateful to have done that particularly with this one. If you are reading this review, then either (i) you have already read the book and are curious for other's opinions or (ii) you are clearly not like me, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this review. If you haven't read the book and your mind isn't already tainted with pre-conceived notions about it, I suggest you stop reading this review and simply pick up the book. It is excellent, and that's all you need to know. Okay, then, that's my warning. The rest of this review will reveal some bare bones facts on what this book is about, and don't say that I didn't warn you against forming pre-conceived notions. In brilliant and engaging prose, Eugenides tells us a story that spans three generations of the Stephanides family through the omniscient eyes of its youngest member. The fact that the story spans three generations suggests that it would be an epic novel, but to me it's not epic. It feels intimate and warm, not grand. And, although we do learn about the narrator's grandparents and parents, the story is ultimately about the narrator, who is a hermaphrodite. Some reviewers have commented on how the book seems divided into two stories - the family saga and the hermaphrodite. Sadly, I think that interpretation misses the point of this novel. It's one story, because you are your parents' child just as you are your grandparents' grandchild. I found the novel so convincing that I started to wonder if Eugenides himself was a hermaphrodite and if this book was a dramatized autobiography. No, he is not and this book is not, but that is how realistic it feels. Eugenides succeeds because he doesn't make us pity the poor creature nor does he create a freak show. Instead, he makes the narrator incredibly and unbelievably human. Not only is the story itself compelling, but the words conveying that story are well-crafted. Eugenides is an adept storyteller. His words flow like water. The narration is completely engrossing and easy to read. Now, I don't mean easy to read as in the writing is simplistic or elementary. I just mean that it doesn't feel like you are reading a heavy piece of literature. It doesn't tax your brain. The words just flow, and I absolutely love that. One last point. In this book, Eugenides perfects an often neglected aspect of storytelling and that is the story arc. Most authors get away with ignoring the arc. It's not necessary for a bestseller, nor is it necessary in the way beautiful prose is for literary acclaim. But, in this novel, the story arc is textbook perfect. The beginning establishes a solid foundation. The middle maintains a steady pace and then crescendos beautifully until it climaxes fairly close to the end. At last, the conclusion releases all of the built up tension, ultimately leaving the reader feeling completely satisfied. Completely satisfied.

This is a clever work. It flows through generations, backwards and forwards, it takes in conception, birth, childhood, as well as the tenderness and horror of becoming a hermaphrodite in adulthood. It begins in 1922 in Smyrna graphically describing the horror of genocide, humourously moves to the lives of Greek Americans in Detroit as they accept their roles as American citizens. It breaks the rules of fiction writing and succeeds as a unique epic. The kind of enjoyable book that deserves a second-reading, as much to wallow in the descriptions one has had to rush in order to see what happens next, as to appreciate just what a extraordinary family saga this is and to take in all the medical, historical and geographical detail.

La narración es increíble y me enganchó desde el principio. A pesar de que trata diversos temas difíciles, el estilo del autor hace que no sea una lectura pesada.

Have you ever started reading a book and felt guilty because you have to go to bed even though you wish you could keep reading and reading and reading until the book is over? If no, then you must read this book. If yes, and you know how cool this feeling is, well, then buy this book asap!

Es una novela narrada en tono de autobiografía, exponiendo la historia (bastante movida) de tres generaciones de una familia griega procedente de "Asia Menor" (la parte griega de la actual Turquía), desde los tiempos de Ataturk, hasta su asentamiento en Detroit. Son especialmente intensos el momento de su precipitada huida de Esmirna, ante el ataque de las tropas turcas; y, ya cerca del final, las escenas que relatan la terrible tesitura de la protagonista, cuando se revela que no es una niña sino un niño, cuyo desarrollo genital se vio detenido por una mutación genética. Aparte de su narrativa (con tiente homéricos), destaca su profundo análisis psicológico, tanto el de los abuelos fugitivos, como del/de la protagonista, que, ya adolescente, da un vuelco a su vida al huir de la clínica donde pretendían extirparle sus nacientes atributos genitales masculinos. También tiene un gran valor el estudio sobre la diferencia entre "sexo" (determinado por los genes e inmutable) y "género" (la identificación sexual, susceptible de cambios). Y además presenta muy bien la lenta transformación de una sociedad basada en el automóvil (la de Detroit) a otra devastada por la gran Depresión de los años 30. Es una novela larga, a veces intensa, otras veces algo más relajada, pero siempre muy interesante.

This book was fascinating. The narrator holds your attention, leading you through a serpentine life and family history. I definitely recommend it!