Journal Entry 1 by Deerskin from Aberystwyth, Wales United Kingdom on Sunday, June 27, 2004

A great read! I didn't really enjoy The Virgin Suicides so was unsure what to expect when I started this one, but I was soon caught up in the fairytale-like story of Lefty and Desdemona, after that I couldn't put it down, each life and character described was equally fascinating. A really great read, highly recommended. 

Journal Entry 2 by Deerskin from Aberystwyth, Wales United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 17, 2004

I am using this copy to restart a ray that vanished - members are listed below;

PinkElf (Romania)
Conniggetsmom (USA) USA
WarEagle78 (USA)
mlbish (USA)
janetcarolina (Peru)
newk (Australia) 

Journal Entry 3 by PinkElf on Friday, December 31, 2004

I loved this book. Much more then "Virgin Suicides". I like how the story goes back in time and showes you all the family and their secrets. I like Cal and how he/she resolved all the problems. I loved the passion in this book.

At page 66 are some words in Romanian. But they are not all Romanian. "Et" is from Franch and in Romanian is translated "si". The correct form is: "lumina electrica, ventilatie si confortul cel mai mare". In English it means "electrical light, ventilation and the higher comfort".

I'm waiting for an address and then I will mail the book.

Edit: Sent it to mlbish. (USA) 

Journal Entry 4 by mlbish from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Caught! Thank you. I will read and pass along ASAP. I'm a little backed up right now because of my PhD defense, but that will be over shortly and then I can really fly! 

Journal Entry 5 by mlbish from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, June 14, 2005

I am reading this book right now. I have not forgotten about it! I have PM'ed janetcarolina again for her address (I didn't hear back the first time). I will have it out very soon.

I LOVE it! 

Journal Entry 6 by mlbish from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, June 20, 2005

Spoiler alert: It's possible I'll say some things that some people might not want to find out in advance! If you hate spoilers, avert your eyes.

I am so glad I read this book. I was a little worried because I started and abandoned The Virgin Suicides while I was working on this one, so I wasn't sure I was cut out to be a Jeffrey Eugenides fan, but the two works are very different.

The truth is that I always enjoy a good family saga. I was completely drawn into the world of Lefty and Desdemona's family. And although I am appropriately anti-incestuous marriage, Mr. Eugenides did a good job of describing the situation in a way that made me understand their choice (as well as I possibly could understand something like that). (Incidentally, I think it was really the marriage of the cousins that was the problem in terms of the mutated gene, especially since that mutation had been floating around in the gene pool for a while.)

The whole book had sort of a sad overtone, because even during the happy times of the story, I knew what was going to happen at the end. That dampened the joy a little. I was so nervous for Callie many times during the story. For example, I actually had to stop and take a break during the sex scene with Jerome. I was so afraid that he was going to find out and I just couldn't take the stress. In fact, for most of those last chapters with Callie, I was worried that someone was going to find out about her condition and that she would be subject to the ridicule of her school mates. I'm so glad that didn't happen. It would have broken my heart!

I was shocked when Cal fled his parents in New York. That was something that I'd never considered as a possibility. Certainly an interesting choice. I was also sorry about the sordid turn the story took at that point. And I'm not criticizing the author--the events were definitely plausible. I suppose some of his experiences in San Francisco were good for him in a way, in terms of meeting other people of 'alternative sexuality' and learning to accept himself.

The bit about Asian women being the 'last stop' for men in the closet made me chuckle. I'd never heard that before. And I know it's a stereotype and not PC, but based on anecdotal evidence I've observed among my own friends, I sort of see his point. Hee.

It was interesting that Mr. Eugenides chose to keep some characters nameless. I didn't necessarily see a pattern, though. I understood the reason that the Obscure Object never had a name. But it's a completely different reason than the one Cal has for referring to his brother as Chapter Eleven. Interesting that one could use the same technique for two totally different purposes.

This was a great book. Long, but well worth it. It's a rich, absorbing story. Thank you so so much for sharing it! I'm sorry I kept it for so long, but I really cherished it. I have PM'ed janetcarolina a couple of times without a response. I did an ISO in the fora, and if I don't hear back soon, I'll move on to Newk.
 

Journal Entry 7 by mlbish at Bookray in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (7/12/2005 UTC) at Bookray in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

I finally found janetcarolina. So this book is on its way to Peru. Happy trails! 

Journal Entry 8 by janetcarolina from Lima, Lima Peru on Saturday, August 27, 2005

Just got this one along with two other books, wow, i just hope i get to read them all on time. 

Journal Entry 9 by janetcarolina from Lima, Lima Peru on Saturday, January 14, 2006

Eeeeek!!!!!!!! can't believe i've had this one for so long. OMG! I'm so sorry, don't worry guys, this book is not lost, i have it here with me, just had some trouble that kept me from reading but i'm catching up on all my rings and rays and will send this one as soon as i get Newk's addy.

Btw, i really liked this book, it was easy to follow eventhough it kept jumping in time from Desdemona's time to Callie's. In fact, i think that was what made it more interesting, how diferent generations were connected by a secret and how this secret is finally uncovered many decades later.

This is the kind of book that makes you wanna keep reading eventhough you already know how's gonna end.

Thanx so much for sharing and for being so patient with me.

 

Journal Entry 10 by janetcarolina from Lima, Lima Peru on Sunday, January 15, 2006

Newk asked to be skipped so i guess i'll be PMing Deerskin now. 

Journal Entry 11 by janetcarolina at Lima, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (7/7/2009 UTC) at Lima, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Giving this book to Surfenkitten as she has this author on her wishlist. Enjoy!

Edited to say: She didn't show up to our meeting so this book is still with me.