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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
This darked me out so bad and I’m pretty masochistic with my reading choices. Read with caution if you or someone you love has bipolar disorder
While I enjoyed the book and was intrigued by the multidimensional men (Leonard and Mitchell), I was thoroughly disappointed by the surface treatment of Madeline. While the men were able to have complex and enlightening journeys (of the world and mind), Madeline was was bound by the men in her life– Leonard, Mitchell and her father. Even her future (and the end of the book) is decided by Mitchell. The decisions she makes are in the service of others, and her accomplishments (eg: her graduation, the published article) are minimized.
Captures the uncertainty and confusion about life--what to do with yourself/who you are/ what does it all mean?--after graduation. Like other books told from differing points of view, one character always ends up being more interesting than the others.
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Too pretentious even for me, and I actually enjoy critical theory. I think the me of 10 years ago might have liked this.
I wish I could review this as two separate books. Two stars for the first half, because I found the bit about the smart kids in Ivy League college taking everything too seriously quite tiresome (but admittedly a bit accurate). But the second half was quite compelling. The depiction of Leonard's bipolar disorder seemed very real and very tragic. And I enjoyed the scene at the place that wasn't quite Cold Spring Harbor/Woods Hole (I had to wonder why he went to all the trouble of writing a character who was not quite Barbara McClintock, though). And, despite myself, I liked the ending. So 4 stars for the second half.
There have been a handful of books I just can't fathom enjoying after reading the synopsis. Lo & behold, after I by accident get ahold of the book and begin reading I am engaged and wonder about my reticence to read aforementioned book..... This book was much like that for me. It was on my periphery, and I couldn't imagine what would be compelling about it after reading the summary. But, with library book of "The Marriage Plot" in hand, after starting to read first pages, I found myself quite engaged. Yes, some parts are trite (but, college kids in the late 80's --of which I was one-- were often so), but most importantly this book singlehandedly provides the clearest, best descriptor of manic depression that I've ever read in a work of fiction. This in itself raises this book in marks for me. So misunderstood, so difficult, so sad, so amazing..... our minds, depression, and the toll for the survivors and their loved ones. Perfect insight into why one might putz with meds, might be incredibly incredibly smart while suffering mental anguish....
And, if you think on another level about Victorian novels re. marriage vs. the modern day and what the book is self-reflexively doing---well then, you have yourself your English Thesis right there, no?
Read it fast and furiously, and have patience and regard for the few flaws it might have exhibited.
And, if you think on another level about Victorian novels re. marriage vs. the modern day and what the book is self-reflexively doing---well then, you have yourself your English Thesis right there, no?
Read it fast and furiously, and have patience and regard for the few flaws it might have exhibited.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes