Reviews

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

dawnrsullivan's review against another edition

5.0

I had a hard time getting into this book the first time I picked it up. Six months later, I tried again and couldn't put it down. Loved it.

aubrey710's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kle105's review against another edition

1.0

I really wanted to like this book. I mean it won a Pulitzer for crying out loud but needless to say I couldn't even finish it. It was boring and drawn out. It was more so one of those books where you feel the author is trying to sound important rather than tell a story.

The subject matter was compelling enough for it to be interesting but it went on and on rather than moving forward. I felt myself saying enough already way too often while reading this book. Had this book been edited better I probably would have liked it better or even finished it. I am hoping it got better further into the story, but looking at how much was left and how it dragged I just couldn't finish.

dani_nzd's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

emeadow's review against another edition

4.75

Very true to its description , it is an American epic 

mishasw's review against another edition

2.5

Meh. The first half, with all of Cals ancestors is poorly written and totally unnecessary for the story. Overall just not that interesting or convincing. 

fdikili's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

suzzeb22's review against another edition

5.0

This book was not at all what I imagined it to be about. In fact, I had forgotten what the plot or premise was when I purchased it so it was a surprise to me once I began reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Particularly the characters of Desdemona and Lefty and their struggle to leave Asia Minor. Also, Cal/Calliope's character was fascinating. I think Jeffrey Eugenides did a great job describing Detroit in the 60's and I was disappointed that Cal's story didn't continue on so I could find out how everything worked out for him. He is certainly an easy writer to read and I had trouble putting this book down. Now I will certainly check out his other novels.

signorponza's review against another edition

4.0

Ci sono due storie che si intrecciano in questo libro. La prima è quella della voce narrante e protagonista del romanzo, “nata due volte”: come Calliope Stephanides e poi come Cal. Siamo infatti dinnanzi a una persona intersessuale, per la precisione ermafrodita, ossia venuta al mondo con gli organi sessuali sia maschili sia femminili. Per raccontare la sua storia, dunque, è inevitabile farsi accompagnare in un secondo racconto, cioè quello della famiglia Stephanides. Una saga familiare che nasce in Turchia quando crolla l’impero Ottomano per poi proseguire negli Stati Uniti, celando segreti e relazioni che, di fatto, sono responsabili della peculiare condizione di Calliope / Cal. Middlesex è dunque un romanzo molto articolato e avvincente, in grado di ripercorrere alcuni momenti storici (sullo sfondo) mentre ci si appassiona ai drammi della famiglia e, non meno importante, alla vita che oggi vive Cal. Scritto molto bene (vinse il Pulitzer nel 2003, non a caso).

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sgp_dalliance's review against another edition

Too slow and predictable