Rookie Readers! discussion

The quintessential Rookie Magazine novel (or, at least, a very common source of inspo), we couldn't pass this by. I'm going to start this discussion by saying that I absolutely ADORED Eugenide's Middlesex, so I have very high expectations for this booger. I'm a few pages in and so far, so fine.

Possible discussion questions:

Which is your favorite Lisbon sister? What do the neighbourhood boys' vision of the girls tell us about the male gaze, patriarchal standards, etc? Too much white privilege? What sort of a reality is Eugenides trying to portray? Are his extensive descriptions enticing or insufferable?

Please do comment away!

I read this novel a couple of years ago and I really didn't understand all the hype. I think Rookie raised my expectations! Maybe I need to reread it.

I read this novel a couple of years ago and I really didn't understand all the hype. I think Rookie raised my expectations! Maybe I need to reread it.

I just finished reading this, and while my head is still stuck in the book, I can probably say that I liked it. I've seen the movie years ago, and the book resonated in me because I myself once has been a young 13 year old girl, and I think Cecilia's answer to the doctor telling her that she is too young to know how bad life can get: "obviously doctor, you've never been a thirteen-year-old girl" is pure magic and so so so spot on: only 13 year old kids are capable of that kind of melodrama and honesty. I found the writing beautiful.

Anyway, to answer your first question Ana, I find it very difficult to choose a favorite girl: aren't they all a bit one-dimensional ? I mean, they had to be superficial : 1) they are teenagers, starting their boring lives in a very bland world. Maybe they didn't have time to become multidimensional. 2) the girls are only characterized through others 3) no one knew those girls (and we probably cannot know anyone). But, despite that, I don't think their characterisations seem fake or too easy. What we learn about them is very simple: Lux is the sexy one Therese the scientific one Bonny the religious one .... But we also get the feeling that this doesn't matter, that they're interchangeable, and also and primarily that they cannot be grasped and imprisoned in a stupid book.
But if I had to choose, I'd go for Cecilia and her wedding dress. I wish I could have been friend with all of them, though. I know it has been said a million times and far better than I could, but the book is not really about the Lisbon sisters, no more than it is about anything else.
I'd have so many things to answer to your other questions, but sadly my too little knowledge of English is limiting my thoughts!

Appoline wrote: "I just finished reading this, and while my head is still stuck in the book, I can probably say that I liked it. I've seen the movie years ago, and the book resonated in me because I myself once has..."

I ADORED your comments! The part about the Lisbon sisters was insightful as fuck, and I completely agree about how poor Cecilia's answer resonates A LOT. In spite of all this, I think the first half of the novel is far superior to the second half, and the bored feeling of the last half is what has stuck out most now that I recall the book. Anyhow, your comment made me look back at it with new appreciation!