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Liked It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “It is really hard to decide how I feel about this book. It's about Calliope Stephenides who eventually becomes Cal and his specific genetic "defect." Cal was born a hermaphrodite. Raised as a girl, Calliope begins to notice that she is not developing like the other girls around her. At the...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Unique story, uniquely told. Listening added to the experience. The combination of first /third person perspective was an interesting way to tell the story. It was captivating and enjoyable.”
Susan S wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The narrator is an amazing person, someone living a life most of us never think about.
JoAnn Augustine wrote this review 7 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This is an eye-opener.”
“I loved this book. Jeffrey Eugenides traces three generations of a Greek/American family from the tragedy of brother-sister Lefty and Desdemona's escape from the flames of Smyrna Turkey in 1922, their secret marriage on the trans Atlantic voyage and their settlement in Detroit. Eugenides takes the reader through the 20th century boom and bust of the motor city, the prejudices, stereotypes, the family's growing wealth, their white flight and suburbanization. It is the tale of a dissolute gene that pops up in intermarried families from their village in Asia Minor, and eventually rears it's bony boyish head in the undeveloping adolescent body of the narrator Callie Stephanides, a hermaphrodite who discovers her real male identity when family members refuse to admit who she is inside and eventually outside. It's a grande story...funny and tragic, intertwined with the foibles and hubris of human pride and family jealousies. The author nails descriptions of all kinds...smells, atmospheric color, body language and the slow unfolding poetics and panics of adolescent desire.
Cecelia K wrote this review 11 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
”“Good, dark, emotional. I read it a while ago, I vaguely remember being disappointed in the end, but can't remember why. Was it wrapped up too quickly and easily? ”
Kris Groves wrote this review Wednesday, April 25, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Read it one chapter at a time. Plot is about Cal/Calliophe a hermaphrodite raised as a female until her teenage years.
our little corner of the world wrote this review Wednesday, April 25, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Hermaphrodism is a recessive genetic condition hidden and passed down from one generation to the next.
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i am back to my old ways. to my solitary walks through Victoria Park. to my Romeo y Julietas, my Davidoff Grand Crus. to my embassy receptions, my Philharmonic concerts, my nightly rounds at the Felsenkeller. it's my favorite time of year, fall.
SO POETIC!! ~~From the Waxing Lyrical chapter of "MIDDLESEX"
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took me three tries before i got into the plot, and now that i'm through, i don't regret doing it.
it has enough sensitivity to give insight to what's going on in Cal's heart. Might be the way homos feel. trapped inside a man/woman's body and not able to do something about it.
To like the book, one has to have an open mind and avoid preconceived judgements about the characters and the story in general”
“Very interesting book. ”
April wrote this review Sunday, April 8, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This novel grabbed my attention with it's highly unique story and beautiful writing. Eugenides' best work.”
Larissa C wrote this review Saturday, April 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Jeffrey Eugenides is a fantastic storyteller. I am in awe of the vast amount of information he packed into this epic novel, while still keeping it interesting. His descriptions of characters and events are brilliantly written while he shifts his novel seamlessly from past to present, and first person narrative to third person narrative. He uses a healthy dose of humor and irony to keep his heartfelt story moving forward. The novel covers major issues such as nature vs. nurture, gender identity, rebirth, ethnic identity, incest and race relations.”
CJ Kamm wrote this review Friday, April 6, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“"Lefty never discouraged any speculation. He seized the opportunity of transatlantic travel to reinvent himself. Aware that whatever happened now would become the truth."”
Kellie BB wrote this review Wednesday, April 4, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
