by Jeffrey Eugenide, who also wrote The Virgin Suicides. I know he story of The Virgin Suicides, but only because I have seen the movie. I have heard that it's a good book, and I liked Middlesex enough that I'm going to add it to my list of things to read. When I say 'just finished' - I mean JUST finished - 10 minutes ago. You'd think I would remember more to say about it ;) I'll start with simplicity - I really enjoyed it, and I'd recommend that you give it a read. No, you can't borrow it, sorry. I got it from the library. But they can lend it to you, and pretty close to every other book on the planet, for just $12 a year. (assuming you have a Calgary address. Or maybe live in another city that has a library. I love to wander around Chapters. Sometimes I buy books (so not knocking that - I love buying books!), but other times I just get ideas of books that I want to read, and then I request them from the library.
The random aside continues: would you agree that public libraries exist, because as a society, we value learning, reading, books, information etc, enough that the effort is made to make it accessible to everyone? Among other reasons, of course, but still. The cost to be able to use the system is very very minor. You can even return books to any library in the city, and they will be sent back to where they need to go. Blockbuster doesn't do that, and you have to pay SO much more. Anyway, my whole point is this: wouldn't it be great if we had the gym equivalent of a library? Should we not value exercise, and health as an extension, like we do reading? It might save a lot of money on health care in the long run. Then again, maybe only the people who already aren't financially deterred, who use the user-pay system of private gyms would keep going. But maybe not! This is fresh in my mind because I don't have a gym right now: they are so bloody expensive. I have been running outside a lot, but with this blasted sore hammy/IT PLUS a sore knee today (BALLS!), I may need to seek alternative exercise. Actually, I'm planning to buy a trainer (the kind that you can ride your bike on inside, not the kind that tells you, "run harder, you lazy bitch!". Those I can only rent.)
Ahem, back to the book. Middlesex is a story about a hermaphrodite, her/his life, and how she goes from Callie to him being Cal. I was really impressed at how the author makes Callie/Cal stuck a likable protagonist. At first I will admit that I thought, "yikes, a hermaphrodite. weird. is this going to be a likable character?" - or something along those lines. Callie/Cal is complex, interesting, a great narrator, a like-able.
Cal somewhat omnipotently narrates the history of his family, and how he came to be. I each section of the story: the present, his (well, I suppose then her) childhood, parents, grandparents. It goes into quite a lot of detail along the way, and I was still captivated at each generation's story.
There are a few random things that I liked in the book. The geographical and historical backgrounds are interesting: there's a few, but my favorite was Berlin. I enjoyed the Berlin geography because now, having been there, it makes sense. It was a cool feeling.
Also, the books brings up some interesting points gender identity. I'm topic-jumping, but hey, I warned you it would be random.
Middlesex is one of those books that makes you think and is just plain entertaining all in one.
Don't take my word for it: go read it. Better yet, go get from the library, and read it while you ride a bike at the gym that only costs $12 a year.
ps. How SWEET is it to have enough time at Christmas to get to polish off a 500 page book? I love that about time off.
pps. props to Rookie for the recommendation.
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