Middlesex discussion

Saw a woman on the plane the other day reading Middlesex. I told her I loved the book and asked if she was enjoying it. She acted appalled that I had read the book and wanted to publicly talk about it (of course I spoke of it in very generally terms given the setting). She seemed very put off by the subject matter. Yet, there she was reading the book for everyone to see.
It was very puzzling.
Anyways, good for her for venturing out in her reading.
I feel kind of bad for putting her on the spot.
I have run across so many people who have opinions about books they have never read.
This was my first experience with someone actually reading something they seemed to want to distance themselves from (beyond the fact that a book is poorly written or just factually wrong in the case of nonfiction).
Can you think of other situations like this concerning literature.

Yes, and this is why I adore my Kindle and iPhone apps so much. The covers, while titillating and delicious on many of my favorite trashy books are quiet embarrassing. I would never want my kids to ask "hey mom why are those woman's boobs hanging out and rubbing on that man?" ..or you know, have people in the grocery line staring at me like I'm some perverted housewife. But yeah- if you read a book like Middlesex (which I have) I think it's relatively stupid to play ZOMG about the topics covered. It's not a good book because of the illicit intrigue..it's a great book because of the way it is written.

This really surprises me. I have read Middlesex and I don't know anyone who has a problem discussing it. I lent it to my mother-in-law and she loved it too. Although the sort of thing that's covered in the book is rare, it does happen to people. I want to read Herculine Barbin's book about per life.

I've never had that experience but I also find it surprising that the woman had that reaction to the book because it's not some lurid, sex-filled, perverted, tell-all. It's an extremely well-written piece of historical fiction that follows the life of a girl and a family's recessive gene. Maybe she took exception to Lefty and Desdamona's relationship?

Is there really a lot of furor over this book? I keep hearing supporters of the book up in arms over other people who find it offensive, calling them reactionary and right-wing. Yet I rarely hear criticism of this book that centers solely on the hermaphoditism or incest. It seems to me that more people are using the book as a way to pat themselves on the back about how 'open-minded' they are to enjoy a 'controversial' book.

Do I consider Middlesex a controversial book? Not really. I suppose it qualifies in that it is the first popular book whose main character is a hermaphodite. But that's more of a novelty than anything truly shocking. It features incest, which isn't new. Most of what I loved about the book were in the descriptions of Cali's girlhood and teenage years. I liked the portayal of Detroit and the immigrant experience. I think what's really great about this book is being overshadowed by this focus on what I would call its side issues.

That said, there are books that I won't take to work. (I'm a teacher.) I wouldn't take Chuck Klosterman's book Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, simply because of the title. I love the book Lolita, but if asked about favorite books in school, I probably wouldn't mention it because of the subject matter.

It's funny when people bring up the 'controversial' topics in this book. How is hermaphroditism controversial? It's a psysiological abnormality, not something someone chose or didn't choose. And when someone said something about the incest in this book, I hardly remembered that part. It was what caused Cal to be the way he was, but it wasn't gratuitous. It was neccessary for the plot--in fact, vital to it.

Some people might want to look for scandal in all books, but if you're looking for a scandalous incest book, this is not it.

Great comments everyone. I certainly didn't find the book controversial. Just wanted to share what I thought was an odd experience. I admit I love to see what people are reading on the plane. I fly about 24-30 times a year. It's become part of my peoplewatching habits.

P.D. wrote: "I fly about 24-30 times a year."

Wow! I haven't flown since 1996!

Then you've missed out on some great people watching and countless delays.

The lady sounds like a bit of a prude or maybe just surprised that someone was talking to her about a book. I was expecting the part about the incest to be much more cringe-worthy but it was about as tasteful as it gets. Maybe when Cal goes to San Francisco it gets a little weird. What stands out for me was the relationship with Cal and the Obscure Object, that was one of my favorite parts. It was amazing how clearly he captured the high school best girl-friend relationship.

This is a funny topic though-- public denial or when to try to hide the book you're reading. I started reading a biography of Adolph Hitler awhile ago--definitely wouldn't take that out in public. Also felt very strongly that I had to distance myself from the subject, as if I was going to start liking him or something. I was reading In the Garden of Beasts on the way back to Germany from the US and decided it would be best to take the dust jacket off, since it had swastikas all over it. My husband has this book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17... and he's hidden it the last couple times we moved, so the movers won't see it and think we're huge racists.

I always like to check out what people are reading on public transport too.

Meredith wrote: "The lady sounds like a bit of a prude or maybe just surprised that someone was talking to her about a book. I was expecting the part about the incest to be much more cringe-worthy but it was about ..."

good points and funny.

P.D. wrote: "Saw a woman on the plane the other day reading Middlesex. I told her I loved the book and asked if she was enjoying it. She acted appalled that I had read the book and wanted to publicly talk abo..."

Maybe she was ... odd? Maybe the issue was not the book, but the woman?

SubterraneanCatalyst wrote: "Yes, and this is why I adore my Kindle and iPhone apps so much. The covers, while titillating and delicious on many of my favorite trashy books are quiet embarrassing. I would never want my kids to..."

some poeple just don't like talking to strangers, it's like "Why are talking to be do I know you". Anyway I think we have loss the art of converastion

Ives LeSpark wrote: "SubterraneanCatalyst wrote: "Yes, and this is why I adore my Kindle and iPhone apps so much. The covers, while titillating and delicious on many of my favorite trashy books are quiet embarrassing. ..."

to me no to be*

P.D. wrote: "Saw a woman on the plane the other day reading Middlesex. I told her I loved the book and asked if she was enjoying it. She acted appalled that I had read the book and wanted to publicly talk abo..."

That is very schizophrenic! I don't understand though... I mean it's genetics! Like when someone is born with 4 fingers!

Yes, I have heard people talk about Fifty Shades of Gray when they were kind of embarrassed, especially because they kind of liked it... But of course I'm living in the Bible Belt in the South! Hypocrisy is baseline here! Lol

I'm sorry, why does anyone feel they have to be ashamed of what they read? Even if it's trashy books... Sometimes we crave fast food! It's probably still better than watching TV!

In today's culture when anyone is seen reading anything that's not an "app" on a phone that is being massaged by a rapidly scrolling thumb, I feel like hugging them. Perhaps you should have hugged the woman on the plane. There is something in your post; didn’t the publisher of Harry Potter books make separate covers for adults so they could read them in public? Dr. Seuss, take note.

Lena wrote: "It's funny when people bring up the 'controversial' topics in this book. How is hermaphroditism controversial? It's a psysiological abnormality, not something someone chose or didn't choose. And wh..."

How She/he *became* a hermaphrodite is controversial.. Them on the boat.. Could be why people were squeamish to read it, finish it. no?



Its seems once she is born the books becomes much better.

I had the opposite experience with "Middlesex" I was reading it on break, a lady at work was like, "that's my favorite book of all time" and I was like "...this...is your Favorite book of All Time?" I thought, wth, why? Are you a hermaphrodite and your story is finally told?
Turns out she was a drama queen, so who knows what she thought or why.
I didn't find the book hugely controversial, but I was uncomfortable with the incest. (that's partially a personal issue)

I think it's sad when this book is reduced to its salacious parts only, whether it leads to scorn or approval, because I think Eugenides is such a good writer. When I think of this book, the first thought of mine is not about the hermaphroditism or the incest. I think more about the things that I connected with: growing up, relationships with siblings, being a part of a family with a strong sense of their heritage, the crazy groups that sometimes spring up in cities, falling in love for the first time. Milton reminded me a lot of my own father, so I strongly reacted to him, particularly his death scene, which was absurd but also poignant. Although this story was about an unusual medical condition, I thought much of the book was written to be relatable to people in small ways.

Heather wrote: "Turns out she was a drama queen, so who knows what she thought or why."

I'm just curious, Heather, did you mean your co-worker is a drama queen (as in tends to make everything into a big deal) or a drag queen (a man who dresses as a woman)?

Mickey- just your run of the mill over-dramatic lady.
I enjoyed the book, myself, but found it really odd that some party-girl-type with a husband and three kids thought this was the Best Book Ever.

Mickey wrote: "When I think of this book, the first thought of mine is not about the hermaphroditism or the incest. I think more about the things that I connected with:"

I agree with you entirely. The book had nice surprises. I chose it because I wanted to understand the sexual identity issue better. I quickly forgot all that when I found myself reading about the Armenian genocide, immigrants, Detroit race riots, coming of age, etc. and it went on from there. While it delivered the lessons I sought, I am not disappointed in the author's approach to the subject. Had he been more direct, I doubt the book could have gotten near the same publishers' industry kudos much less my own praise.

A fantastic book ! One of my favorites
Fascinating subject matter and written so very well. I will re read it soon, it's been awhile. And I do not often re read books !

I read this book for the first time last month, I really enjoyed it. Although the subject matter in interesting, it is much more interesting how each character chooses to deal with these life changing events. Sort of, handle it as it comes. Which is what you really do when life throws the unexpected at you. In this story the characters lived life. It's a wonderfully told story and I look forward to reading it again in a decade or so... if I'm still around.

This book is wonderful. The strongest point has gotta be the narrative. So many heartache and joy presented vividly in three generations of a family made it a lot easier to delve into the story and get lost in it.

Well,being that I live in Texas, I am just glad there is a place like Goodreads or I would never get to discuss a book like this without having to listen to moronic rants. I thought this book's narrative form was beautiful as well. I cannot imagine having a mind that was so preconceiving that I couldn't enjoy this little gem.

Hear you Sam. Sigh.

Mickey wrote: "Is there really a lot of furor over this book? I keep hearing supporters of the book up in arms over other people who find it offensive, calling them reactionary and right-wing. Yet I rarely hear c..."
I am a retired teacher and I loved this book for the same reasons you mentioned. The Detroit culture and the immigrant experience. I would recommend it to many young people who like to read which is becoming less every year.