Liz M. (Ealisaid) reviewed on 9/20/2005 + 23 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

Many times while I was reading "Middlesex" I was reminded of the movie "Forrest Gump", I think because "Middlesex" is as much a history of America (and Detroit in particular) as it is about the characters who inhabit its pages. Much attention is given to the experience of being an immigrant in America as well.

I feel the same way about "Middlesex" as I feel about "Forrest Gump". I respect the story, and I found it to be interesting, engaging and entertaining enough while I was reading it. But something about the story, and the characters in particular, failed to find a permanent place in my heart. I can't ever picture myself rereading "Middlesex", nor was I dying to stay up all night reading it. The book's narrator, Callie/Cal, is very close to my age. I was amused when Callie mentions her Dr. Pepper-flavored Lip Smackers and her Love's Baby Soft powder. (That sure brings back memories!) And yet...I could never really picture Callie using these things. Something about her was not fully-fleshed and she never seemed like a real person to me. In fact, none of the characters did. Much of the time, they seemed more like archetypes than real people, and while that wouldn't bother me in some settings, it just didn't work for me here.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details