While I would rate this as ‘the best book I’ve read this year’ it’s the book that surprised me the most. I had this on my reading list because it’s considered one of the best “literary fiction” books of 2011, critically acclaimed, and one of those books someone who is a diligent reader and lover of English should probably read. I didn’t expect to enjoy it the way I enjoy genre fiction. I expected it to be one of those heavy reading books you power through just so you can say you’ve read it. I even got it from the library so I would have to force myself to finish it quickly. Turns out I didn’t have to do that. This book kept calling me to pick it up and keep reading. I enjoyed it.
Madeline is out of school, out of love, and out of step with her life. Starting with her graduation day things have not gone the way she thought they would. Her relationship is a mess, her grad school application has been rejected and the future looks bleak. As the novel goes on Madeline’s life continues to take a path she didn’t expect. Her boyfriend, Leonard, suffers from manic-depression and this colors Madeline’s future as she starts to see how his disease is going to control her life. Her best friend, Mitchell, who she loves, platonically of course, confesses his love for her but when those feelings are returned leaves for a year long trek to India. While Madeline is the main protagonist of the book both Leonard’s and Mitchell’s lives play a big part in it. Leonard’s constant battle with manic depression and Mitchell’s desire for God add subplots which color the text in different ways.
Coming for Pulitzer prize winning author Jeffrey Eugenides I expect this book to have an expertly crafted plot and lyrical, beautifully written prose. What I didn’t expect was how quickly I would finish. I picked up this book thinking I would read it off and on for a few weeks until I finally forced myself to get it done. In reality it took me three days to get through. The book is heavy, it’s not an easy read by any means and there are sections that seem to drag, but it is also heart-wrenching. Madeline’s feeling that her life, even in her early twenties, isn’t going the way she has planned is a theme that really resonates. While each of the three main characters frustrated me in different ways they felt like real people. Their struggles were true to life and in some cases heart-breaking. Everything about this novel feels true even if it’s not always easy to read.
I felt like I had a lot in common with Madeline, having been an English major with a love of Victorian Literature, which may have played a large role in me connected with this book the way I did. While I found this book to be a fantastic read I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. Eugenides writing is definitely for those looking for a “literary” fiction read, it deals with heavy topics and while the ending is refreshing I wouldn’t categorize it as a “feel good” read. If you’re willing to come to this book expecting the right things and have the determination to keep reading even when things seem to have slowed down you will be in for an experience. If I had to choose the one message that resounded the loudest with me while reading it would have to be that sometimes the more courageous decision isn’t to make the best with what you have but to turn around, walk away, and start over on your own.
