Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 904
 Middlesex January 11, 2010
Aubrey Mishou
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I know many readers consider Middlesex to be a work of genius, and have read several gushing reviews singing its praise. My own experiences with Eugenides' novel aren't nearly as overwhelmingly positive. I greatly appreciate the point of view of the text, and the dignity with which Eugenides approaches a sensitive subject. As an author, he seems to show a great deal of respect for heavy issues such as gender determination and hermaphroditism; while the subject itself remains a bit of a taboo, Eugenides does not make a sideshow of his main character, but instead humanizes Cal in a way that allows readers to sympathize as people working through the human condition rather than members of some gendered scale looking down on the "other".
But, as I said, my reading was not entirely positive. I felt that Eugenides relied far too heavy on textual information, and the novel is often crowded by the introduction of an academic narrative style. Fascinating passages and interesting anecdotes are often followed by pedantic prose that is intended more to display the author's skill than to supplement the narrative of the character. Likewise, the premise of the novel itself often feels far too contrived, and I found myself drawn more by passages focused Cal as a teenager and adult than to the convoluted history Middlesex constructs. While I'm sure such familial histories exist, the attention focused on specific details made me feel like Eugenides is trying too hard to force his audience to accept his narrative, as opposed to having confidence that the novel itself will sweep his readers away.
In the end I am glad I gave Middlesex a second chance, and I am happy to have made my way through it.
 Twice Born January 7, 2010
Mary E. Sibley (Carneys Point, NJ USA)
Cal has been first one thing and then another. It is complicated when an enzyme is siphoned off in emerging life. Cal has a male brain but is raised as a girl. Descended from Asia Minor Greeks, born in America, the narrator lives in Europe presently. He, Cal, operates in society as a man. The male persona is Cal, the female Calliope.
Eleutherios and Desdemona Stephanides left Bithynios in 1922. At Smyrna British and Greek soldiers evacuated, leaving Greek citizens at the mercy of approaching Turkish forces. There were fires. Desdemona and Lefty, (Eleutherios), departed on the same boat as Dr. Philobosian, who had lost his entire family. The ship, the Giulia, had been part of the Austro-Hungarian Line. Lefty and Desdemona were siblings. A cousin agreed to stay mum about that issue of the propriety of the marital union. (It was mutual blackmail, the cousin had her own secrets.)
The family settled in Detroit. Lefty got a job at Ford, working in the Rouge plant. Lefty attended the Ford English School. Later he lost his job because the husband of his cousin with whom he resided had a police record. Dr. Philobosian settled in Detroit, also. The cousin gave birth to a girl, Theodora, and Desdemona had a boy, Milton. Detroit was known as the city of trees. Lefty ran a speakeasy. By 1932 Fard had established Temple No. 1, (Black Muslims). Desdemona worked for the Nation of Islam, silk-making. In 1933 Fard had to leave Detroit.
Theodora Zizmo is now called Tessie and the story shifts to 1944. In 1935 Lefty's bar patrons had formed the UAW. Milton tries to woo Tessie by playing 'Begin the Beguine' on his clarinet. Milton and Tessie marry and become the parents of Calliope. Milton graduates from Annapolis in 1949. After his military service is completed he opens a diner. Ten years after Milton starts his diner, it is no longer making money. In 1967 the riots take place.
The story continues with verve. The liveliness and warmth of the storytelling sustains the reader's interest wonderfully.
My big, fat Greek family December 29, 2009
Kona (Emerald City)
Cal Stephanides traces his family history back to 1922, when his grandparents were young and living in Asia Minor. Their love was forbidden but undeniable and they married, keeping a terrible secret. They immigrated to America, had children who in turn had children, and one of them was Cal who, thanks to his grandparents, was born with a unique anatomy.
As the narrator, Cal paints a vivid and fascinating picture of his family, much like someone slowly turning the pages of a scrapbook, describing each photo in detail, interrupting his history occasionally to bring us up to date on his current situation. His family experienced dramatic highs (the Turkish slaughter of Greeks, the Detroit riots) as well as ordinary days, and he describes them all with humor and matter-of-fact acceptance.
This is a very unusual and exceptionally well-written story. I did object to the narrator being able to recount conversations and actions he couldn't possibly have known about and think the story should have been written in the third person, but I found it riveting and was sorry when it ended. Highly recommended.
Engrossing December 27, 2009
Teddybear (Antioch, Ca.)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It's not just about coming of age or sexuality, this book is fantastically written: J. E. won the Pulitzer for this piece for crying out loud! It chronicles the life of Cal, a hermaphrodite who has to find things out the hard way. It's funny how J.E. manages to touch on topics that ANY person can relate to, yet you think these problems would be soley specific to that of a juvenile hermaphrodite (whatever they may be) and you're constantly left wanting for more. Please do yourself a favor and check out this lengthy but unforgettable read.
wonderful observations December 23, 2009
Igor Dumbadze (cincinnati, ohio)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I thought this was an extraordinary book! I would like to focus on one aspect which afforded me much enjoyment. Being a Russian Orthodox first generation child raised in New York City and also the midwest, I absolutely identified with the author's reflections on life at home! The interactions between the generations living under one roof, the convoluted familiy histories, the relationship to the church, the role of superstition, and the entire immigration process. Great insight and a wonderful style of expressing these observations!
Igor Dumbadze
Showing reviews 6-10 of 904
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