Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides is acclaimed for its ambitious narrative and rich prose, which compellingly intertwines personal and historical elements. Reviewers praise its exploration of identity and family, though some find its pacing uneven. Overall, it is a captivating, thought-provoking read that deftly addresses complex themes.

Readers who enjoyed the coming-of-age and family saga aspects of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold or the complex identities in The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon would appreciate Jeffrey Eugenides’ Middlesex. This novel appeals to those interested in generational stories and themes of identity transformation.

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides follows the multigenerational story of the Greek-American Stephanides family, with Cal, who was raised as a girl named Calliope, narrating the journey of his grandparents, Lefty and Desdemona, from Greece to the US. Their family secret—a close genetic relationship—affects generations, culminating in Cal’s discovery during adolescence that he is intersex. The story intricately explores history, identity, love, and the complexity of gender. 

The novel includes depictions of nonconsensual medical interventions on intersex individuals and uses outdated terms for intersex people.

Mysterious / Melancholic / Bittersweet / Contemplative / Emotional

Jeffrey Eugenides

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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Part 1 Middlesex Part 1 Summary & Analysis

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Middlesex

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