The Marriage Plot

It's always exciting when an author I love has a new book out. Even more exciting is the day I pick up the book from the library after having it on hold for two months, as was the case for The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides. It took me a little while to get into the book, but once I did, I absolutely loved it. Today I heard about a review that said the plot was trite, which seems harsh to me, though it is true the book is more character-driven than plot-driven. (For the record, I love character-driven novels and the lack of a real storyline doesn't bother me. One of my favorite books, Maud Martha by Gwendolyn Brooks, has no plot whatsoever and I still adore it.)

The novel is basically a love triangle between a girl (Madeline) and two guys (Mitchell and Leonard). It takes place in the early eighties after the trio graduates from college. Mitchell is in love with Madeline and Madeline loves Leonard. Yes, there is the tortured unrequited love angle, but I'm a sucker for that stuff. And I loved the ending. I had thought I knew how it was going to end (and how I hoped it would) and it was different (and better) than I'd anticipated. While I truly loved this book, I'm hesitant to recommend it since it is so character-driven and I know that kind of book doesn't have mass appeal.

Lately I've been thinking about how there is masculine writing and feminine writing--not so much because of the subject, but because of the style. Some voices are very gender-oriented and I love when writers can transcend that. Eugenides is an androgynous writer, if you will. His writing is direct and enjoyable.



Jeffrey Eugenides