Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides

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Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides is an extraordinary coming-of-age novel that intricately weaves together themes of family, identity, and self-discovery. It follows the life of Calliope Stephanides, who discovers in her teenage years that she is intersex. The novel compellingly traces not just Calliope's own maturation, but the complex and fascinating history of three generations of her Greek family in America.

I was engrossed by the in-depth exploration of how both genetics and life experiences shape one's identity. The vivid settings, from 1960s Detroit to the battlefields of Greece to the rise of the Nation of Islam, grounded the more philosophical questions of nature vs nurture in rich historical backdrops. Eugenides writes beautifully about the process of change, both cultural and personal. 

However, the novel is expansive in its scope, sometimes to a fault. Certain sections lagged or felt unnecessary to Calliope's own transformation. The ending also felt rushed after the lengthy buildup to her decision to live as a man named Cal. I was left wanting more closure.

Overall, Middlesex is an impressive and poignant novel that insightfully examines assumptions about gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and normalcy. Eugenides has crafted a story that — much like Calliope/Cal — transcends simple categories to present a compelling portrait of the human experience.

2021