UK Book Club discussion

Better get my copy from the library....

I love this book, Eugenides is a great writer, if you enjoy this try Middlesex absolute gem of a novel.

Middlesex is on my TR list, I've been meaning to read both books for AGES, so glad to finally get the chance!

Only a little way in and enjoying it so far. I like the teenage voice narrating the story and it's making me chuckle. There's something dreamlike about it too, maybe it's because the book opens during a long hot summer, it all feels very languid. (Perfect for reading in the torpour of Singapore....)

Middlesex I feel is the greater novel, 'Eugenides is a great writer

*Spoilers*

Just finished. I enjoyed it, I really liked the way Jeffrey Eugenides writes (will definitely be reading Middlesex soon).

Some of the scenes are fantastic, especially when the boys find Bonnie in the basement, it really reminded me of the scene in Great Expectations where Pip finds Miss Havisham with the rotten wedding cake etc. His descriptions of the decay of the Lisbon house are wonderful - although it reminded me of clearing out my Dad's place :(

Not surprisingly, I found it a melancholy book, but I also felt it was quirky and surreal (often reminding me of John Irving) which prevented it from ever sliding into a depressing read.

But the question why? is never close to being answered. (Personally, I blame the mum - easy to do - Mrs Lisbon must be one of the most unapproachable mums in fiction, right up there with Carrie White's mother!) I don't like endings that are too neat, but I like to feel some sense of resolution and this was the only thing I found lacking in the book.

Looking forward to hearing what the rest of you think...

Maybe Eugenides wants to reader to feel like the people who are left behind after suicide and the question always is why, and it's often not answered.

jo wrote: "Maybe Eugenides wants to reader to feel like the people who are left behind after suicide and the question always is why, and it's often not answered."

Too true, and frustrating none the less....

I'm on page 90 so far and I am not really enjoying this book. It's very odd and it just feels a bit too 'arty' for me. But, I never give up on a book so I'll keep going and see if it gets any better....

I read The Virgin Suicides several years ago and I must admit I didn't enjoy it all that much. (Could be that I didn't pick a good moment to read it I suppose?!) I thought it was OK and I know you don't often hear me say this but... this was a case of me actually liking the film more! For me, there was quite a large section of the book that dragged on and didn't keep my interest and like others have said, after persevering onward, there are no resoloutions.

OK I've finished it. I found it a struggle from start to finish. It is definitely not a book I would be recommending as a 'must read'. It was quite poetic in the way it is written and if you like that kind of book then go for it. But I prefer a good book that I just want to read 'one more chapter' before I go to bed. This is definitely not the book for me. It reminded me a bit of One Hundred Years Of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez with all it's wierdness and nonsense. Some people obviously love this type of writing but I'm sorry, it's a thumbs down for me. Is it worth trying Middlesex or is this author not for me?

I loved this movie - I may have to give the book a go.

I originally read this book about 10 years ago, and then re-read a few years ago I think. I really liked the book, although agree about they why? not being answered. Never really thought about it being done to make the reader feel like people left behind after a loved one commits suicide but that idea would work. It's actually the only 1 of Eugenides books that I've read though...

I loved the book and the movie :)

The Soundtrack for the film is amazing.