Rating: 
Summary: Amazing story, amazing writer
Review: If you had any doubts that Eugenides was a fantastic writer (certainly one of the best of our time) after reading The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex will thouroughly convince you. To paraphrase what one critic wrote of his work, this man makes the ordinary into something extraordinary. The story is so bizarre, but at the same time, very much possible, and in fact, with all the real events put into the work, it seems almost impossible that this is actually fiction.
One of the most fantastic aspects of Eugenides' style is his attention to subtlety. When you read the book the first time, you will notice small, mysterious passages that foreshadow events that will happen later in the book. When you go back and read these the second time, it will all make sense. Another aspect of his subtlety is his way with words, in describing things without being point blank about it. I really enjoy this, because it lets your mind create something unique. His expertise in describing the feelings and thoughts of Cal, the main character, is an especially difficult undertaking, because Eugenides had to write in the place of a man, a girl, and someone who is in a gender identity crisis. I don't know how he was able to do this, but for some reason, it all seems so real.
The character development is excellent. I think that one of the things about all of his characters, in Middlesex as well as the Virgin Suicides, is that you become very interested in them, and you care about what happens to them. Descriptions of scenery are excellent as well, whether it's the smoggy, dirty car factory in Detroit, or a beautiful beach in Petosky. It feels like you are right there, in that very place. The plot all ties in together, and nothing is just there for entertainment. The historical scenes were well researched, from the problems in Detroit to the problems of Greeks living in the middle of a war. All these important world events pass by in a fashion that seems a bit like Forrest Gump. All in all, it's very rich and enjoyable. A true masterpiece. Hopefully we won't have to wait nine years before his next book!
Rating:
Summary: "I was born twice..."
Review: I think the beginning lines of this story sums up what it's about nicely, so that's what I will use:"I was born twice: first as a baby girl on a remarkably smogless Detroit day of 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of 1974." -- Calliope/Cal Stephanides This was such a great book. The first chapter was sort of off-putting for me. In the begining the prose shifted between straight-forward and flowery, epic descriptions. Even the narrator, Cal, said his writing was Homeric and that it was genetic. But as Cal explain his history starting with his grandparents trials in the old country and their eventual movement to America in the 20's, you become more and more involved with his story. We follow his grandparents (who were related) and his parents (who were also related) through their lives, watching what led up to what and who Cal was. We watch what shaped his relatives -- values from the old country, values from the new, war, racial tension, etc. So, the reader gets so much more than just a story about a hermaphrodite. You get to feel like you're a friend of the family. We're also treated to breaks where Cal talks about his budding relationship with a woman named Julie. By his own admission, Cal "loves 'em and leaves 'em". I don't even know what to say about this book really. It's fascinating. As one of my friends says about the book, "I don't know if I like this, but it is enthralling. I couldn't stop reading it." This was my first time reading anything by Eugenides. I watched Virgin Suicides, and I have that book, as well, but I think the material presented in this book is what made me pick this book up before The Virgin Suicides.
Rating:
Summary: I dare you not to love it...
Review: I read this book almost a year ago, and since it I have yet to find a book that will keep my attention enough to actually finish. Maybe I should give this book no stars and a terrible review for that very reason? Yet, the truth is that this book is gorgeous. It is a pleasure to devour and still savor. I was swept away in the story of the generations and their explanations(the web that was wove), but I was also challenged to stay aware and awake to all that was being hurled at me by this amazing author and his fantastic story. You won't be sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Novel- Very Unique
Review: When I started reading this book, I thought I would be innundated with medical terms, but that is not really what the essence of this book is about. You really feel like you know the characters at the end. I ennjoyed reading about the life of three generations of Greek Americans- very informative also of the some US history. I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Stellar
Review: I was reluctant to read Middlesex. I'd enjoyed the short story, "The Obscure Object," in The New Yorker that was less a chapter than a complete piece Eugenedies adapted from the book. But I was told that the story was better than the book and that I'd read enough. It was nagging at me, though, because I'd enjoyed his writing so much and I was curious about all the praise. Then, after someone I respect loved the book, I bought it. This is easily the BEST piece of contemporary fiction I have read in ages. I am endlessly in search of something good to read and, way too often, bored. This book is a gem. His use of language, style, tense, vocabulary, plot structure - it's near perfection. But don't get me wrong - it is an INTERESTING read! as well as an impeccably written novel. The book is a journey that, when finished, I felt had come full circle. It's a multple-generation story that culminates with the birth, and life, of the narrator. The narrator, not yet born for most of the book, uses fabulous, unique techniques to show us how this family, and he, came to be who they are. Eugenides's use of the past and present tense is remarkable. He flawlessly uses a "tabbooed" technique--shifting between past and present tenses--with incredible results, from all perspectives: narrative, literary, and sheer reading pleasure, in order to unfold the book. It's wonderful. The story is wonderful, the characters are wonderful, but the writing makes it. The writing is brilliant. Brilliant (and entertaining too!) throughout. Flawless. It absolutely deserves the Pulizer Prize it won.
Rating:
Summary: Gosh, the guy is just so good
Review: Eugenides captured me years ago with the Virgin Suicides. I loved that book, so when I read about Middlesex, I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it. The story, the writing, completely delivers. I loved the melding of the 3 generational tale along with the curious happenings that you know you just want to know about with Cal. This is one that you really won't want to end. Eugenides writes with the whole package.
Rating:
Summary: Sing, Oh Muse, an epic American story
Review: Eugenides attempt at a great American novel is an instant classic. The metaphores imployed by the author are so beautiful and stunning. As if the great stories of Greek legends were placed in our modern world. Instead of monsters and magic, there are genetic mutants and hallucinogenic drugs. In reading Middlesex you get a sense of the world's philosophy as coming full circle. So many issues in our current society are raised and confronted. The Nurture vs. Nature debate is addressed with solid research and understanding of the genetic and social sciences, and with a gripping story! This book was not as addictive as some of the 'written as a movie script' books that are plentiful today. In fact, much of the 'pre-story' of establishing Cal's family in America was perhaps too detailed and long. However, it is a well earned read.
Rating:
Summary: beyond fantastic
Review: MIDDLESEX is sublime, wonderful, sad, funny, biting, rich, warm... It is, simply, one of the best books I've ever read. The writing is masterful, and the storytelling is genius-- Callie, the protagonist, jumps into every characters head, from her (his?) own mind as an embryo, to her parents, brother, grandparents, etc. It's an amazing story, with an even more impressive journey, and well worth reading. After this, I can't wait to start the author's first book.
Rating: 
Summary: Really good, could have been great....
Review: I really enjoyed this book and read it after several people urged me to. I am hoping there is a sequel, since there is so much in the life of Cal.....
It is not what you, but very enjoyable....
Rating: 
Summary: A major disappointment
Review: This novel has a wonderful narrative voice, fluent and engaging and capacious, able to swing from family to history to science, coining some excellent metaphors along the way. But nothing happens. Or more acccurately, none of the things that happen matter. A city is destroyed, an incestuous couple fall out of love, a father dies in a slapstick car chase, and none of it sticks, none of it hurts. This is a smooth, easy, painless epic. A novel over five hundred pages long needs to break your heart a couple of times. The one complaint I'd heard was that the Greek family sections were great but the Cal/Calpurnia stuff never took off. For me, however, the Greek family didn't take off either. Eugenides writes very well and he had a great idea for a novel here but some kind of emotional/dramatic disconnect in his art has resulted in a weightless cartoon.
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