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This book has bits of stardust, hints of real brilliance. Yet, on the other hand, it is almost too much of a good thing.

I’m a sucker for a good opening line, and Eugenides delivers:
“I was born twice: first, as a baby girl on a remarkably smogless Detroit day in January of 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy, in an emergency room near Petosky, Michigan.��

Yay! That’s one intriguing opening first line. It has my attention!

Middlesex is also largely set in my home state of Michigan, and the author seems to nail most of the details (although the audiobook narrator did mispronounce Gratiot).

The narrative voice is simply incredible -- extraordinarily original and riveting.

However, this book is far, far too long. The plot is all over the place focusing on grandparents from Greece, three generations of family, The Great Depression, the Detroit Riots, and more. There are so many minor sub-plots and characters that nothing really sang—nothing really stood out as memorable. Characters are largely dropped for huge sections of the book, only to reappear briefly or not at all.

Some parts of the book just dragged. For example, Milton has three insurance policies for his business, and times are tough. Then, the Detroit Riots begin. Gee��.what do you think will happen? Alright, just get there already!

Eugenides is clearly dripping with talent, but his gift hasn’t been sufficiently harnessed yet. This book feels like he is standing on the cliff of greatness, but he hasn’t gone over the edge yet, but he is right there. I really wanted to like this book more than I did.

Looking forward to Eugenides’s next book. Hopefully, not an epic the next time.

The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent):
Hardcover Text �� $10.67 through Pango
Audiobook �� Free through Libby

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