Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Irphen and I are going to read Middlesex together in February. Everybody's welcome to join in ;-) !

I started reading the book this week and will definitely join you. I am reading a chapter a day, since I read more than one book at a time, and am really enjoying it.

Rosemarie wrote: "I started reading the book this week and will definitely join you. I am reading a chapter a day, since I read more than one book at a time, and am really enjoying it."

Wonderful! I have to finish Mary Barton and My Cousin Rachel before getting to Middlesex.

I think I will finish My Cousin Rachel this weekend, so I could start with Middlesex.

Do you want me to wait and we start together? Or should I go for it since Rosemarie has also already started? In the latter case we could do chapter spoiler tags like in our Kent Haruf buddy reads.

Middlesex was my first audiobook. The narrator was awesome.

Patty wrote: "Middlesex was my first audiobook. The narrator was awesome."

I've got Nathan Osgood. Was he your narrator, too?

I've started today, am in Chapter 3 by now and absolutely love it.

Spoilers up to Chapter 3:
(view spoiler)[How did you feel about Desdemona and Lefty? I felt totally confused. Part of me was screaming "NOOOO, you are brother and sister!!!" and another part of me was timidly feeling with the protagonists of that narrative "Yes, be with the one you love!" (hide spoiler)]

The audiobook I listened to was years ago. I think it was Kristoffer Tabori. He brought the book to life.

I am making good progress and really enjoying the book. I didn't know it was partly a historical novel, which makes it even better.

I‘ve read about 1/3 now, I just couldn’t keep my hands off 😅.
I REALLY enjoy this book.

I‘m in Chapter 10 now, but the spoilery bits to come concern Chapter 8 or 9 (with an audiobook I‘m not so sure):
(view spoiler)[What do you think about Theodora‘s/Tess‘ dad? The whole episode of Desdemona working in the silk factory was really interesting. The inner workings of a sect... When their leader turned out to be Tess‘ dad that ruined the whole story for me, because it was too much of a coincidence. Ok, he was a sleezy criminal always looking for opportunities, so starting a sect would totally be up his alley, but Desdemona interacting with him again felt really strange.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

Oh, and I love the way how he describes the living and working conditions of people.

Rosemarie wrote: „I didn't know it was partly a historical novel, which makes it even better."

Yes, it does feel a bit like a historical novel (I love them, too), but I‘d also say „Multigenerational Family Saga“.

That describes it exactly.

I guess Chapter 21:
(view spoiler)[When Cal was high and had sex with the Object's brother in the shack in the woods... What exactly is Cal's anatomy? Does he have male genitalia inside his lower abdomen? Something like this was hinted at during field hockey practice and the sex scene. Does he also have a penis inside and not only testicles? According to the very high pressure peeing incident during the baptism that could be. I hope this will be cleared up later on when they find out about Cal's intersex status. I'm biologically curious... (hide spoiler)]

I'm about 2/3 done (with audiobooks I'm a million times faster than with paper books) and am totally loving it! I think I will add this one to my "favorites" shelf.

How are you proceeding, Rosemarie?

I finished it a couple of days ago and loved it. I like the way everything is connected and comes together at the end. There are also some really funny sections.

We find out why Cal is the way he is, and why.

Yes, I have finished the book and I loved it!

I had trepidation about reading this book for several years before finally reading it about twelve years ago. The historical family saga aspect surprised and so pleased me that I ended up immensely enjoying the entire reading experience. Ever since, I have had it ranked in my top 10 all-time books, the only entry from the 21st century.

This was a wonderful read, a real family saga as well.

That’s wonderful, Brian! I also put it on my „favorites“ shelf.