Middlesex: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Middlesex: A Novel
Book Review: Complete disappointment.
Summary: 1 Stars
I am shocked by the positive reviews this book has gotten. To be honest, this is one of only 3 books that I have not been able to finish. I guess all I can say is that I thought the book was extremely boring and did not catch my attention. I honestly couldn't get past the 2nd chapter.Book Review: Creditable second work
Summary: 3 Stars
I consider Virgin Suicides, the author's first book, to be one of best books written in decades. This, his second book, is also well-written and contains some of the same dry wit that makes you unsure whether to laugh or cry. However, I couldn't help but feel that, as a reader, I was left dancing on the surface instead of being plunged into the depths the way I was with Suicides.One problem was that the book simply covered too much. It actually had the makings for two separate works. One, the fictionalized saga of the author's Greek imigrant grandparents. The other, the story of the Hermaphrodite Cal ne Calliope. While one led into the other, I simply never felt that I spent as much time with the main character as I did with her/his grandparents. Also I didn't like the way the grandmother,Desdemona, simply disappeared for much of the last half of the book. This was explained, but I couldn't help but think it was more of a convenience for the author.
Greek mythology and irony were nicely woven into the story, but unfortunately, the mythology had to be explained for a less enlightened audience (of which, I must confess, I am one), and the irony had to be bluntly pointed out due to the length of the novel causing us to forget some of the early details. This all tended to interrupt the flow.
However, had Eugenides first novel not been so exquisite, I would probably not have had such inflated expectations for this book. In short, if this is the first book you're reading by the author, I'd be surprised if you weren't very impressed. But please do go on to read Virgin Suicides. You' won't regret it.
Book Review: DIsappointing
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased the book because of the Big O stamp of approval and found myself struggling to get through it.The history was somewhat interesting but the characters never seemed real to me, or maybe not compelling. I left it at the vacation rental, maybe someone else will enjoy it but I wont takes Oprah's recommendations so seriously now.Book Review: Deep yet Entertaining
Summary: 5 Stars
Does a pork eat corkWith a fork?
Does a dork eat hork
With a stork?
These are the kinds of questions that you will be able to answer once you'll have read 'Middlesex' by the greatest of all dorks, Jeffrey Cornelius Eugenides.
Book Review: Delightfully Moving
Summary: 4 Stars
I love this book. Jeffrey Eugenides way of writting is delightful. I haven't read the Virgin Suicides yet but i am very sure that the book will not disappoint me.