I think most people know the plot for this by now, the narrator Cal is a hermaphrodite. Cal is genetically a male hermaphrodite who is raised a girl and doesn't realise his gender until he hits puberty.
However the first half of the book is basically your standard family saga novel which covers three generations of the Stephanides family. All kinds of historical events are thrown in along the journey of Cal's grandparents incestuous love, the emigration from their homeland in Greece to America, to the family making their home in Detroit.
There is nothing wrong with the first half of the book but I have in my time read my fair share of family saga novels and unfortunately this one didn't stand out to me. The scenes and the situations throughout were vivid and although the writing demands your full attention the events which unfurl hold your interest. There was nothing wrong with it but I wanted to start reading about Cal's present not all the family stuff that read like a lot of other family saga book.
Once the story shifts to Cal and it suddenly becomes quite gripping and I began to care much more about the characters. Cal struggles to come to terms with her identity at times of radical changes. It's not only about being genetically different, but also about Cal's journey to fit in while carving his own individual path and finding Cal's true-self.
While in many way this is an entertaining read and there were large parts I enjoyed, I was left wanting to read more of Cal's life than the novel ultimately gave me. Overall I ended up feeling slightly disappointed.
Verdict 3/5
Posted by Jess
I felt much the same way you did about this one. It felt like two books joined together, and the first was mostly pretty ordinary. I do still want to read The Virgin Suicides because I did like Eugenides's writing and that sounds like it has a tighter story.
ReplyDeleteSorry you didn't enjoy this one more. It's been a few years since I read it, so my memory is fuzzy, but I think I remember liking The Virgin Suicides more.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this one a lot. I don't think it's for everyone, but it sure is an interesting read. Eugenides has always been a bit of a hit or miss for most.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my all-time favourite books! I read it as a teen and have read it a few times since... one of those books I pick up again every few years. I wish you liked it more, then again we all have different tastes and needs from a book, at different times in our lives :)
ReplyDeleteI loved this book, but I did think that it dragged a bit in the middle. It probably could have done with a little bit more editing. I thought the most difficult parts to maintain an interest in were when Cal was in high school. I am glad that I continued with it, because I thought that the very beginning and the end of the book made up for the slow middle.
ReplyDeleteI loved this one a lot!
ReplyDeleteI've started this book twice, but can't even seem to get to the halfway point. Sounds like the second half is better and my copy is still on the shelf. Not sure I have another try in me though...
ReplyDeleteOh dear you are disappointed with the book. I'm worried now because I have this for my 12 TBR list....
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame you didn't like the first part. I actually liked the story of Cal's grandparents more than the story of Cal. Have you read The Virgin Suicides?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this book, but I can see how the family saga in the beginning might not suit everyone's tastes. At least you gave it a try!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the book, much more than The Virgin Suicides. It was interesting and I had never read anything remotely similar before (or since).
ReplyDeleteWe can't all have the same tastes, the world would be such a boring place. :)
I didn't like this book for some of the same reasons. I really wanted to know more about Cal. Try Annabel by Katherine Winters its similar but you get the child's point of view...it was just much better written. I don't know why Middlesex got so much attention when it was published but I almost stopped reading it several times.
ReplyDeleteBummer in feeling a bit disappointed! I really liked this one but do remember feeling like I was slogging through the first several chapters (twice as I put it down once for months because it was so tedious). I just picked up Virgin Suicides and look forward to reading it eventually.
ReplyDeleteTeresa - I loved the film of the Virgin Suicides so I will too read it, glad I'm not the only one that feels the same way.
ReplyDeletereviewsbylola - I will try that one next, thanks
Jillian - yeah I cant say I disliked his writing really I dunno, sometimes these things miss the mark
Rachel - well thats it, I think if I handn't read so many family saga books already I would have liked it more
Becky - ah see he bits when she was in school were one of the best bits for me!
JoAnn - I think if you dont et on wih it durin the first half then its not worth perservering TBH
JoV - I am very much in the minority on this one so dont let me put your off!
Tiny Library - funny as for me it was the other way around. I have read The Virgin Suicides, loved the film though
Ash - well its not that it wasn to my taste its jus that Ive read so many you know? There was nothing really wrong with it.
Delia - yeah your absolutely right, I still hate it when my opnion oes against the masses though LOL
Heidi - I agree I think Annabel sounds ALOT more up my street and its good to know I'm not the only one btw
Trish - oh I hate not liking a book that someone else has loved, well really I did like Cal and her story so that bit I really liked!
I think I'm one of the few people who enjoyed this more than The Virgin Suicides. I know what you mean about the family saga dragging on for a bit, but I found it quite interesting as I haven't really read much (if anything) about Greek emigrants,
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way too about this book, I was always longing to get to Cal's story.
ReplyDeleteI was also disappointed with this novel, it was a big let down in fact.
ReplyDeleteI have only ever really heard good things about this book so am surprised (though I do like a round view of pros and cons) that you didn't love it so much. It's one I started reading, and rather enjoyed, but didnt ever finsh between the move from London to Manchester.
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