It took me four weeks and two days to finish “The Marriage Plot” by Jeffrey Eugenides and, frankly, it’s four weeks and two days I wish I could have back.

One of the reasons this book so thoroughly disappointed me was that I had very high hopes for it. I absolutely loved Eugenides’ two other works (“The Virgin Suicides” and “Middlesex”) and expected to equally adore his latest novel. It was not to be.

To start off, I don’t think Eugenides’ could have made more flat and unlikeable characters if he tried. Madeleine Hanna, the female protagonist entangled in a messy love triangle, is the stereotypical wealthy, Ivy League student whose Daddy takes care of everything. I feel as though Eugenides tried to make Madeleine more “real” by saddling her with various insecurities and flaws, but the end result was just a character that I had no desire to care for. An excellent article in The New York Observer describes this well: “The Virgin Suicides’s sisters, whose lives are described only through whatever glimpses the neighborhood narrators can discern, are richer, rounder characters than The Marriage Plot’s Madeleine, who is a bland figure of smooth surfaces. With Madeleine Hanna, what we see is what we get.”

The other characters aren’t much better. Mitchell is the rejected beau who turns to religious experience in an attempt to “find himself” and forget about Madeleine. Leonard, the troubled West coast boy Madeleine falls in love with, is so pathetic it actually causes one to feel quite badly for him. Even though I wasn’t fond of any of these characters, Leonard was the most developed and relatable one in the bunch. Considering he’s a manic-depressive, that’s saying something!

Before I continue onto the last aspect of “The Marriage Plot” that bothered me, let me first put something out there. As far as literature is concerned, I do not always need the conventional happy ending. For some books, yes, a happy ending is expected. Others, I like to be surprised. But no matter what, the ending has to be consistent with the entirety of the book. That’s my rule. I did not like the ending of “The Marriage Plot,” my reasons for this being: a) it did not resolve ANY of the loose ends in the novel and b) I feel as though it was only trying to make a point and nothing else.

Let me explain. The irony of the title has to do with the typical “marriage plot” that makes its appearance in most Regency/Victorian novels (think Austen or the Brontes). Holding true to its title, a marriage plot does occur in Eugenides’ novel, but not in the way most readers would think. The thing that bothered me about the way Eugenides completed “The Marriage Plot” is that I felt as though he was poking fun at all of the classic novels that I hold so dear. Of course, I realize that most of them end somewhat unrealistically. But I would rather have that than a disappointing ending that holds no hope for its characters or their futures.

Now that my rant is over, I would love to hear your feedback. Am I being overly dramatic (which I tend to do)? Or am I right in saying that we escape into novels for a reason?! If you read this entire blog and even go so far as to comment, I feel like you deserve a cookie. Or something. Maybe if you post your favorite baked good, I can make something happen… Now let me know what you think!

I have a dilemma. Tonight, should I…

do laundry?

sew my pointe shoes?

or read my book?

I might have to try to make time for all of them. (Although I’d much rather just snuggle up with some hot cocoa and read Eugenides’ “The Marriage Plot” all night!)

After reading “Possession,” I truly do not have a clue why I’ve never read the author A.S. Byatt before. This is the first novel in a long time that has left me begging for more. I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that Byatt has reminded why I’m so in love with the written word.

Now that I’ve sung its praises, I should explain what “Possession” is about. The novel follows Roland Michell and Maud Bailey, two scholars of Victorian poets Randolph Henry Ash and Christabel Lamotte, who are thrown together unexpectedly when Roland discovers letters that link Ash and Lamotte. Through further investigation, Roland and Maud uncover that Ash and Lamotte were having a secret affair despite Ash being married and Lamotte having a lesbian lover. Knowing full well what a revelation of this kind would do to the world of academia, Roland and Maud set out to find as much as they can of Ash and Lamotte’s letters, determined to see how their love story ended.

The beauty of this novel is that it crosses so many genres in its 555 pages. Even though Ash and Lamotte are fictitious poets, Byatt includes selections of their poetry and stories throughout “Possession.” Letters and journals of various characters also pepper the book’s pages. Despite “Possession” being a hefty read, it doesn’t feel that way with the variety in writing style.

I couldn’t put this book down until I finally found out what happened to Ash and Lamotte. Despite “A Romance” being in the novel’s title, it also had all the traits of a good mystery as well. Male readers, don’t be deterred! You may be happily surprised.

P.S. Some of you may be familiar with the movie version of “Possession” that was made in 2002. Although I think the novel is far superior, it’s worth checking out.

Jennifer Ehle as Lamotte & Jeremy Northam as Ash

If you’ve been a follower on my blog for a little while, you may have noticed I’m playing around with its layout/design. This is as far as I’ve gone with it for now (as you can probably tell from my lack of posts recently, I’ve been a little preoccupied with other things). If you have the time, let me know what you think and give me your suggestions!

Anywho, this blog is about the last book I read called “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” by Helen Simonson. It’s a comedy of manners in the vein of Austen set in the tiny village of Edgecombe St. Mary in the lovely English countryside. Major Pettigrew is retired, a widower, and lives for a good cup of tea. Mrs. Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper in the village, is quiet, intelligent and also widowed. Despite their many differences, the two slowly find a friendship and eventually love with each other. But in as small a place as Edgecombe St. Mary, everyone knows about everyone else’s business and no one is too pleased with this new love interest of the Major’s. The underlying question throughout this book is whether the Major and Mrs. Ali’s love can stand up to the pressure of such vast differences in culture and society.

Despite the plot being fairly predictable, this was an unconventional love story that I rather enjoyed. If you’re looking for a steamy romance, this isn’t it. But “Last Stand” more than makes up for it in sweetness as well as hope for those who think love has passed them by.

Chances are you’ve heard of the last book I read, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” by Amy Chua. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding this book and the Yale law professor who wrote it. Many have taken this book as a “how-to” parenting guide, which according to Chua is not how it is supposed to be read at all. She says that it is simply a memoir of her ups and downs in the realm of child-rearing and ultimately her realization that trying to be a “tiger mother” doesn’t always work.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read and had a lot of quite funny moments to it. Maybe it helps that I’m not a mom and can’t be offended by Chua’s comments about Western parenting… She made a lot of good points though about parenting today. I agree with her that up until a certain age, children shouldn’t have a choice when it comes to most issues. What Mom and Dad says goes, and if you don’t like it, then too bad. As my dad used to say to me and my siblings, “Life’s tough.” Although Chua sometimes takes it to the next level (threatening to burn your daughter’s stuffed animals if she doesn’t play her piano piece perfectly is taking it a little far in my opinion), her love for her daughters is apparent and I think it comes across that all she wants is what’s best for them.

I’d be curious to hear what you think, especially all my parents out there. Do you agree with Chua or think she’s just plain crazy?

Here’s an interview with Chua where she explains her perspective a bit more: