THREE GENERATIONAL TALE OF THE GOOD AND BAD IN AMERICA

“Middlesex” is one of the most amazing books that I have ever read. It is humorous, painful, realistic and full of fantasy of a sort. Jeffrey Eugenides’ first novel, “The Virgin Suicides” was an acclaimed bestseller that I have not read. “Middlesex” won the Pulitzer Prize in Literature. While the style and imagination of Eugenides is totally original, there are hints of other great literary works such as Wolfe’s “Look Homeward Angel”, Heller’s “Catch-22” and "Catcher in the Rye". I mentioned style a minute ago. Jeffrey’s writing is at times poetic. His use of nouns as adjectives is not new except J.E. is a true master of the practice.

For example, when the main character of the book, Callie, is fighting with her mother about a bra, Callie’s older, smartaleck brother (known as Chapter Eleven throughout the book-itself a nice use of words for a child’s name) hears the fight and states, “What bra?...Does the Great Salt Lake think she needs a bra?” When describing the filth that her father has to wash off of the sidewalk in front of his café in a declining Detroit neighborhood, J.E. points out “(The sea rack Milton hoses from the sidewalk every morning includes the dead jellyfish of prophylactics and the occasional hermit crab of a lost high heel.)”

THE PLOT

The basic plot of the book is told to us by the main character, Callie, who later becomes Cal. From early in the novel, we learn that due to a genetic defect stretching back several hundred years in its origin, Callie Stephanides is a hermaphrodite. While this genetic trait is certainly a central part of the book, Callie’s narration carries us back to her Greek grandparent’s life in the old country and their subsequent harrowing escape from a certain Turkish massacre. There is a special problem in the marriage of Callie’s grandparents that I don’t want to mention but they share a powerful love for several years. Callie tells of their migration to the United States and subsequent arrival in Detroit in the early 20’s.

Callie also tells the tale of her own parents, Milton and Tessie, who build a successful life in one of the more affluent areas of Detroit, Grosse Point. In fact, the title of the book, with the author’s usual double meanings firmly in mind, comes from the name of the house that Milton buys without even consulting his wife. “Middlesex” was built by an eccentric architect who fancied himself another Frank Lloyd Wright.

While the family history is both important and entertaining, the bulk of the book comes from the problems Callie confronts with her sexual “differences.” As I read the book, I realized that what Callie went through from her teen years to early adulthood was a true magnification of what all teens go through. While most teens agonize over pimples, or a bad hair day, or an unrequited love, Callie had to fight some of the most basic prejudices imaginable. Eugenides is such a gifted writer that we feel sorry for Callie but at the same time, admire her amazing strength.

THE CHARACTERS

I’ve already mentioned Callie and praised the author’s treatment of her. Callie’s voice is one of extreme intelligence and a quick wit. At 14, she is sent to an exclusive girl’s school where she fits in like a pair of brown shoes in a room full of tuxedos. Listen to her words as she describes the Uppity Set in the school known as “The Charm Bracelets”:
“From an early age they knew what little value the world placed in books, and so didn’t waster their time with them. Whereas I, even now, persist in believing that these black marks on white paper bear the greatest significance, that if I keep writing I might be able to catch the rainbow of consciousness in a jar.”

Chapter Eleven is another interesting character. Born into wealth but looked down upon due to his ethnic background, he rebels during the days of the great 60’s counter-culture revolution. He’s into dope and meditation and all the other things that drive his parents crazy.

Callie’s father, Milton, is the typical upwardly mobile businessman who is trying to make a living in an increasingly depressed downtown Detroit. He branches out into the fastfood world but is never really happy.

Tessie is a good mother. She tries to be a good wife to a husband who is never home.

Each character in the book is richly painted by the author.

I can’t really do justice to this book in a short review. I will say that it is definitely one of the best books I’ve read in years. FIVE STARS.