Review: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Most famous for his first novel, The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex is Eugnenides' second book, published 9 years after his debut.

The book is hefty but do not be intimidated by the 500+ pages of Middlesex, believe me they pass by quickly.  The novel is incredibly readable and that is a positive thing.  The prose flows and is processed easily from page to brain, the voices of each of the characters are consistent, distinct and realistic.  The plot may seem absurd and kind of ick, but honestly, Cal was so well realised, and so likeable, you forget the similarities to Flowers in the Attic.

The quote that I remember most distinctly from the novel, which also happens to be the 'most liked' quote on Goodreads, go figure.


"Emotions, in my experience, aren't covered by single words.  I don't believe in "sadness," "joy," or "regret."  Maybe the best proof that the language is patriarchal is that it oversimplifies feeling.  I'd like to have at my disposal complicated hybrid emotions, Germanic train-car constructions like, say, "the happiness that attends disaster."  Or: "the disappointment of sleeping with one's fantasy."  I'd like to show how "intimations of mortality brought on by aging family members" connects with "the hatred of mirrors that begins in middle age."  I'd like to have a word for "the sadness inspired by failing restaurants" as well as for "the excitement of getting a room with a minibar."  I've never had the right words to describe my life, and now that I've entered my story, I need them more than ever. ” 

Eugenides effortlessly ties together many themes such as the American Dream, finding your identity, fate/chance and nature vs. nurture, into bundle of words that was of the utmost pleasure to read.  

I kind of wish I grew up in Detroit at the same time as Eugenides so that I could get a deeper understanding about the culture of Detroit and the geography of the the city since I didn't have any prior knowledge before reading the book.  Alas, if only I had a TARDIS.  

After I finished the book, I was ready to turn back to page one and start reading it again.  This is a rare occurrence for me, so this book goes onto my mental/literal shelf of favourite books.  I feel that I should write more about this novel and why I like it so much but my mediocre writing skills would be doing a disservice to this fine novel.

The Professional by W.C. Heinz

The Professional by W.C. Heinz was published in 1958 and tells the story of the boxer Eddie Brown training for the world middleweight championship. A simple story which in itself is not very interesting, if like me, you don't have an interest in boxing or sport in general.  It took me a couple of chapters to get into the book because of the endless sporting references about famous sportsmen/ memorable games.  However boxing is what links all these characters, whether they are the boxers, the trainers or the reporters.  A common thread, if you will.  Even though I have no interest in boxing, the characters' passion for the sport transferred to me as I was reading and so as the novel progressed I really got into it.   

The characters of the novel are very richly imagined, Eddie Brown, tall, muscular man of few words. Doc Carroll is white haired, tall and wiry and always in a foul mood. Even though there are a lot of characters in the book, they are all memorable with each of them having unique characteristics.


In the foreword by Elmore Leonard, Leonard made a good point that Heinz doesn't use adverbs to describe how a character has said their words. After going back over a few pages of the books I realised that is true. The lack of adverbs lets the reader flesh out the character in their imagination and to create their interpretation of the character. The prose is concise and not too flowery which I like and suits the setting of this book. For me, this novel was a pleasant surprise and I didn't expect I would like it as much as I did.

Book Shelf

Thrift shops aka op shops aka charity stores are places of infinite possibilities.  Honestly, I probably spend more time in them than in the shopping centres.  Even if I don't buy anything, it is fun to rummage through all the bric-a-brac (junk, some would call it), it is almost like looking through a person's home but without the intruder/thief/intruder tag attached to it.  One of my weaknesses are used books as I can take my time to read them and I don't have to worry about overdue library book fines.  These beauties were only 50c each!


Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, The Neon Bible by John Kennedy Toole, The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos and Vet in a Spin by James Herriot.

I haven't read any Anne Rice books yet but I believe this one is her most popular book.  It looks to be an easy read.  I don't know what the Oscar Hijuelos novel is about but it was a Pulitzer prize winner so I got it because of that.  John Kennedy Toole also wrote A Confederacy of Dunces which I have read, so I thought I would read this book as well.  The novels by James Herriot are uproariously hilarious, I have read a few already and Vet in a Spin is just as funny.  It's a little embarrassing reading this on the train as I have to contain my laughter...and sometimes I can't contain it.  If you haven't read any James Herriot novels yet, I suggest you do so ASAP!