Play Book Tag discussion

I've added this to the entertainment tag as it is being made in to a movie.

I'm really not sure how I feel about The Marriage Plot. I initially gave it four stars, but upon reflection I have decided to lower my rating to three. A solid three, but three nonetheless. I did enjoy it, but after finishing it a few days ago the story is fading in to oblivion already.

I found parts of the story compelling. Eugenides is a brilliant and clever writer. I enjoyed getting to know Madeliene, Mitchell and Leonard with the 80's as a backdrop. Despite, and maybe because of, their many and varied flaws I found them to be very interesting and likeable. I particularly enjoyed Leonard's storyline and found the depiction of bipolar to be very authentic. Eugenides' ability to describe the lived experience of first love was commendable.

I don't know what it was that was missing for me. I just didn't have the depth that I was expecting and was at times pretentious and tedious. Just when I felt like throwing in the towel though I would be reminded of how great Eugenides' writing could be, and onward I would plough. Such a tough one to rate!

Given how much you typically mesh with Anita as do I, I feel a bit better knowing you also felt at times like throwing in the towel as I ultimately did. I do think I would have kept going if I had been reading instead of listening, but your review makes me feel a bit vindicated.

I had your review in mind when I was reading it, Sara, and was glad I wasn't the only one who didn't love it!

Didn't love it either. But bi-polar is in these days, so it will probably do well in the movie. It's hard after a book like midwives.

I still want to read this one.

Sara wrote: "Given how much you typically mesh with Anita as do I, I feel a bit better knowing you also felt at times like throwing in the towel as I ultimately did. I do think I would have kept going if I had ..."

I came across this on my TBR recently and couldn't remember why I put it on there. After your comments about you and Anita I'm not sure I want to keep it there.

Well Anita actually loved it. My comment was more about how Susie and I both normally agree with Anita but on this one we don't.

Sara wrote: "Well Anita actually loved it. My comment was more about how Susie and I both normally agree with Anita but on this one we don't."

Then it was probably Anita's review that added it to my list!

I was hoping to see that you or Sara had read The Queen of the Night. I felt that one was pretentious because the references didn't add much to the story and I thought Chee was just bragging about how well he knew opera. But books like Fates and Furies and maybe this one (?) I don't mind the references because it fit with the storytelling and didn't take over. But I hate stories that are tedious when they don't need to be and just need to cut some pages (which I think is why I appreciate Marra so much, it's such concise, controlled writing without feeling over-edited or losing his voice).

Lol, well I'm glad it at least made it to three stars, Susie. For some reason, I really related to Madeleine, and I really like books about that age group - - around/in college. And Eugenides can definitely write. I do think there were some pretentious literary references - - like Fates and Furies as Jennifer points out . . .and can see why those are off putting. I do think some aspects are more easily skimmed while reading which is probably why Susie, you were able to finish it, and Sara, you were not with the audio. At any rate, I wish it was better for both of you . . .but maybe it just was one of those where it wasn't so much the book, but the personal experience I brought to bear that made me love it. It's kinda hard to tease that out unfortunately!!

Interestingly, PBT member ratings are really all over the map on this one - - from 1 to 5 stars with plenty of 3's.

Eugenides is one of my favorite living authors. His first two books were perfect in my opinion. I definitely this one was subpar.... but I still gave it 4/4.5 stars because I think it's a great book; I just don't think it's up to his usual standards.

Like Anita, I thought this book was wonderful and I even liked it more than Middlesex and I loved Middlesex too. I can certainly see why some people wouldn't love it (even think it pretentious) but for me, it perfectly captured a time and place and like all his books was brilliantly written

I loved it and I'm disappointed in my book sister Susie, and Book Twin Sara. But it's OK ... I'll live.

Mary wrote: "Eugenides is one of my favorite living authors. His first two books were perfect in my opinion. I definitely this one was subpar.... but I still gave it 4/4.5 stars because I think it's a great boo..."

MARY!!!!! hi.

Mary wrote: "Eugenides is one of my favorite living authors. His first two books were perfect in my opinion. I definitely this one was subpar.... but I still gave it 4/4.5 stars because I think it's a great boo..."

Lol, on a subpar 4 . . .great to see you back here Mary!

For him, subpar. My point exactly.

Thanks guys. Glad to be back but still adjusting to Goodreads.

Nicole wrote: "I loved it and I'm disappointed in my book sister Susie, and Book Twin Sara. But it's OK ... I'll live."

Haha! Sorry to disappoint you. I guess this means we are merely fraternal twins, not identical.

I was aware of your pending disappointment when I wrote this review Nicole!

Mary wrote: "For him, subpar. My point exactly.

Thanks guys. Glad to be back but still adjusting to Goodreads."

Sadly, so am I. :(

Susie, Did you listen to this one or read it? For some reason my library only has the audiobook not the kindle (which I checked out) and I'm curious if the audio is good.

I read it. I think the audio might be a better experience. Let me know what you think!

I listened and couldn't finish it. I think Susie reading it was the better way to go. That said, you might like the audio more than me. I had no issues with the reader, it was the novel I didn't like and I think if I was reading it not listening I would have been able to finish.

Hm, maybe I'll get a hard copy of the book just in case. I hit play by accident (just downloading to my phone) and there was very strange music at the beginning....