Rating: 
Summary: EASY DOES IT ON THIS ONE
Review: Some of the past reviewers went to take an aspirin and swallowed the whole bottle. Myra was but an amusing story that posed the deep question of what part one's sexuality plays in defining one's ultimate identity. If a guy should discover half way through life that he wanted to be a she-read this book before whacking it off. The amputation solved nothing for Myron. Myra had hoped she'd evolve into a new, superior species but discovered that a lovely woman's body didn't erase her loneliness. Myra did claim a temporary uniqueness but Vidal's heavy handed ending decapitated that idea.The sequel Myron was a totally different cup of tea. Since by then there were no characters the reader could identify or sympathize with, a comic book quality emerged which did very little beyond illustrating the amusing war of the sexes. You needn't be a sadist to enjoy this book but it wouldn't hurt. I suppose some of Neal Gabler's (LIFE THE MOVIE) questions regarding psuedo reality and life imitating art were also illustrated here-but don't expect any clarification.
Rating:
Summary: EASY DOES IT ON THIS ONE
Review: Some of the past reviewers went to take an aspirin and swallowed the whole bottle. Myra was but an amusing story that posed the deep question of what part one's sexuality plays in defining one's ultimate identity. If a guy should discover half way through life that he wanted to be a she-read this book before whacking it off. The amputation solved nothing for Myron. Myra had hoped she'd evolve into a new, superior species but discovered that a lovely woman's body didn't erase her loneliness. Myra did claim a temporary uniqueness but Vidal's heavy handed ending decapitated that idea. The sequel Myron was a totally different cup of tea. Since by then there were no characters the reader could identify or sympathize with, a comic book quality emerged which did very little beyond illustrating the amusing war of the sexes. You needn't be a sadist to enjoy this book but it wouldn't hurt. I suppose some of Neal Gabler's (LIFE THE MOVIE) questions regarding psuedo reality and life imitating art were also illustrated here-but don't expect any clarification.
Rating: 
Summary: Most provocative, insightful & hilarious book I ever read
Review: The incomparable Gore Vidal wrote this book in the middle of the sexual revolution of the late sixties. He managed to write a book that is a profound statement on the women's movement on the brink of political madness; revealing the madness of patriarchal society during the Vietnam years while it began to embody the intimate criminal mentality of its enemy at the edge of its success. This book is still, more than thirty-five years later, ahead of its time. Myra Breckinridge is a symbol of America at this tumultuous time--a time that has not only not ended but is being ignored for the benefit of going backward to the Commie-hunter fifties culture, where it is seemingly safe from critical scrutiny. The sexuality, the artistry, the marketplace, the spirituality, and the narcissism that goes from the ridiculous to the sublime--defining the time in which is what written--is all here in this novel, in a way that is not only brilliantly entertaining but non-stop funny. Vidal was the favorite writer of my baby-boomer parents when I was a child. And like my grandfather, who can tell me all the dirty little secrets of my parents generation without them even being aware, Vidal, with his unmatched artistry and biting wit, reveals all, with a talent for weaving stories that has been unmatched. Who is Myra Breckinridge? A better question would be who ISN'T? An incredible novel.
Rating:
Summary: Most provocative, insightful & hilarious book I ever read
Review: The incomparable Gore Vidal wrote this book in the middle of the sexual revolution of the late sixties. He managed to write a book that is a profound statement on the women's movement on the brink of political madness; revealing the madness of patriarchal society during the Vietnam years while it began to embody the intimate criminal mentality of its enemy at the edge of its success. This book is still, more than thirty-five years later, ahead of its time. Myra Breckinridge is a symbol of America at this tumultuous time--a time that has not only not ended but is being ignored for the benefit of going backward to the Commie-hunter fifties culture, where it is seemingly safe from critical scrutiny. The sexuality, the artistry, the marketplace, the spirituality, and the narcissism that goes from the ridiculous to the sublime--defining the time in which is what written--is all here in this novel, in a way that is not only brilliantly entertaining but non-stop funny. Vidal was the favorite writer of my baby-boomer parents when I was a child. And like my grandfather, who can tell me all the dirty little secrets of my parents generation without them even being aware, Vidal, with his unmatched artistry and biting wit, reveals all, with a talent for weaving stories that has been unmatched. Who is Myra Breckinridge? A better question would be who ISN'T? An incredible novel.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good book but DO NOT READ ANY OF THESE OTHER REVIEWS!
Review: The worst thing you can do with this book is read the storyline before you pick it up! The "twist" is the essence of the book and the reviews which revealed this twist and the story basically ruined what would have been a much more enjoyable experience for me, had I discovered them myself. So leave NOW! Do not read any other review here!
Rating:
Summary: An amazing and wild romp
Review: These two novels are very vulgar and very funny. I personally preferred "Myron" which is about being stuck on a Holywood movie set because of a time/space continuum glitch and...well it is difficult to explain but a great read. I do not think that Vidal has ever been funnier. Some people will be turned off by the vulgarity. I was at first but then I was captivated by Vidal's brilliant campy sense of humour which was never as sharp as it was in these two novels. The whole thing is so original and outrageous that you may never read anything like it again. I got the impression that Vidal giddily laughed his way through the writing of these two novels. They are a great deal of outrageous and wicked fun. Definitely provocative. The work of a master satirist at his very best.
Rating:
Summary: Myra is a dish!
Review: This book is great. It's outrageous and funny. It's also quite deep and meaningful.
Rating:
Summary: my all-time favorite book
Review: This book is hysterical and Myra is the greatest "woman" who ever lived. Every woman should have her style and confidence. Vidal's simplistic (which is rather uncommon for vidal) writing is so stylish and easy to read that the words just flow off the page. I recommend it to everyone I know (except my poor, misguided, conservative friends). Myron is excellent too-- and it's a must read if you liked Myra. It's very different in tone (bordering on science fiction), but still incredibly funny and engrossing.
Rating:
Summary: my all-time favorite book
Review: This book is hysterical and Myra is the greatest "woman" who ever lived. Every woman should have her style and confidence. Vidal's simplistic (which is rather uncommon for vidal) writing is so stylish and easy to read that the words just flow off the page. I recommend it to everyone I know (except my poor, misguided, conservative friends). Myron is excellent too-- and it's a must read if you liked Myra. It's very different in tone (bordering on science fiction), but still incredibly funny and engrossing.
Rating:
Summary: I have a confession: I loved this book.
Review: This book is silly, perverted, disgusting, implausible, and a little scary. And I loved it. You learn a lot about yourself based on your reactions to the events in Myra Breckenridge and in Myron. Read this book
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