This book just narrowly avoided a two-star rating. It was so slow, the narrative was all over the place and jumpy. At first it moved to quickly. Eventually when it evened out, the characters and story lines just bored me. All three characters I found dull and self-centred. I tried to pity Leonard, I wanted to feel so sorry for him I just couldn't. I was so relieved at the ending though, I enjoyed the final fifty pages a lot. The story felt like it was more true and tangible. I was smiling at the end. I can't help but compare it the 'The Virgin Suicides' and it leaves me feeling a little bit sore. What am I missing? Honestly, someone come along and freshman seminar me this book because I cannot fathom how it won anything let alone the Pulitzer. Am I just not sophisticated enough to understand the nuances of the gender-swapped-yet-not-really updated marriage plot? Or how the more things change, the more they stay the same? Or was there some beautiful language in there I just didn't get because I listened to it on audio and the actor made all the women sound like Muffy at the Country Club? I mean, I thought that that was probably appropriate. Madeleine, Leonard, and Mitchell were well-drawn complete characters, I'll give you that. But unless this is supposed to be the world's most precious character study, I don't much care about them.I'm not going to write a real review, because I am clearly out to lunch. If someone wants to pay me to read another Eugenides book, I will totally take it but otherwise, yeah, emperor. You're naked. I'm going to go read all the rest of the reviews now to see just how much I'm missing.
What do You think about The Marriage Plot (2011)?
It had its moments, and I wanted to like this since I so loved Middlesex...but alas, I grew weary.
—Missy
Disappointed I didn't like this as I really liked Middlesex.
—maryb
I couldn't find the energy to finish it
—swatparent
