9/18/2006 10:52 AMjennie wrote:
Two main things stand out to me so far: 1) Eugenides' writing seems to have a very distictive rhythm. Early in the book when he describes going back from the current moment, through generations and different locations back in time, it creates such a strong visual. I had this same feeling when I read his description of the assembly line - very rhythmical writing that creates a strong image. 2) Greek names are difficult for me to pronounce, which makes it hard for me not to skip over them, which is a bad thing to do in a multi-generational book. I can see that I'm going to need to pronounce them in my own way just so that I can keep everyone straight. Reply to this
9/18/2006 11:19 AMJill wrote:
I love it. I think his style is smooth like butter. Beautifully written, but also easy to read. Now that I'm in the section where Callie finds out about her hermaproditism I'm just gulping it down. I also love all the foreshadowing in this book.
With foreshadowing in mind, maybe that is the answer to all the Chapter 11 speculation. Perhaps the brother will bankrupt the family business in his adulthood. That's my theory anyway. Reply to this
9/20/2006 8:52 AM
Jane wrote:
The time it took Jeffrey Eugenides to write this book is testament to the quality of its writing, as compared to most of the fluff that I read. I often felt that I was reading an autobiograpy and checked the book jacket a couple times to be sure. I also describe it as historical fiction due to the real places and events, such as the Detroit race riots and the Vietnam draft lottery. ( do all of you "youngsters" understand how that worked?)
For me, it was a challenge (a good one) to keep straight the generations, times, names and to learn some new vocabulary.
The author's use of Obscure Object(explained) and Chapter Eleven(unexplained)was interesting. He stated that he used Chapter Eleven to protect the anonymity of his brother...but this was fiction...right? If the name was chosen to represent the qualities of a protective brother(as in chapter 11 bankruptcy), I am not sure that I saw that...at least not until the end.
One thing I want to comment on is the name of the book, but not until everyone has finished...so I will be back again.
9/29/2006 9:33 AMNora wrote:
I'm not going to lie to you, I read only every other word of the first 20 pages. It seemed a little too ambitious and not very genuine. However, by page 30 I had changed my mind and gone 2 stops past my house on the subway. He's incredibly engaging. I think Jill said it best, I feel like I'm gulping down the story. Reply to this
Two main things stand out to me so far:
1) Eugenides' writing seems to have a very distictive rhythm. Early in the book when he describes going back from the current moment, through generations and different locations back in time, it creates such a strong visual. I had this same feeling when I read his description of the assembly line - very rhythmical writing that creates a strong image.
2) Greek names are difficult for me to pronounce, which makes it hard for me not to skip over them, which is a bad thing to do in a multi-generational book. I can see that I'm going to need to pronounce them in my own way just so that I can keep everyone straight.
Reply to this
I love it. I think his style is smooth like butter. Beautifully written, but also easy to read. Now that I'm in the section where Callie finds out about her hermaproditism I'm just gulping it down. I also love all the foreshadowing in this book.
With foreshadowing in mind, maybe that is the answer to all the Chapter 11 speculation. Perhaps the brother will bankrupt the family business in his adulthood. That's my theory anyway.
Reply to this
The time it took Jeffrey Eugenides to write this book is testament to the quality of its writing, as compared to most of the fluff that I read. I often felt that I was reading an autobiograpy and checked the book jacket a couple times to be sure. I also describe it as historical fiction due to the real places and events, such as the Detroit race riots and the Vietnam draft lottery. ( do all of you "youngsters" understand how that worked?)
For me, it was a challenge (a good one) to keep straight the generations, times, names and to learn some new vocabulary.
The author's use of Obscure Object(explained) and Chapter Eleven(unexplained)was interesting. He stated that he used Chapter Eleven to protect the anonymity of his brother...but this was fiction...right? If the name was chosen to represent the qualities of a protective brother(as in chapter 11 bankruptcy), I am not sure that I saw that...at least not until the end.
One thing I want to comment on is the name of the book, but not until everyone has finished...so I will be back again.
Thoroughly enjoyed this read!
Reply to this
I'm not going to lie to you, I read only every other word of the first 20 pages. It seemed a little too ambitious and not very genuine. However, by page 30 I had changed my mind and gone 2 stops past my house on the subway. He's incredibly engaging. I think Jill said it best, I feel like I'm gulping down the story.
Reply to this