MIDDLESEX

Jeffrey Eugenides. MIDDLESEX. Vintage, 2002.

This is a book club selection which I have given notice that I do not intend to read. I bought a copy several years ago thinking it was about a place in England. It is not. It is about the immigration experience in the USA, and later generations of a Greek family coping with gender-identity issues. Not that I object, but I do object to the "trends" manipulating my reading choices.

Will watch for one issue that annoys me--the idea that gender issues (diversity) are "caused" by abuse.

Will review from internet and participate in discussion.

THE SECRET HISTORY

Donna Tartt. THE SECRET HISTORY. Knopf, Penguin, 1992

629 pages. Much too long. Way too many words. A coming-of-age story of a group of Classics students at a Vermont university getting a bit too involved in their studies. Constant smoking and drinking. Constant peer pressure to comply as the price of admission/acceptance. Plot and character. The final few pages offer a bit more insight as a survivor looks back.

I am glad I read it as this title makes many lists of 100 Best... I will count it as 3 books.