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Join Jeffrey Eugenides to talk about our April Book of the Month, THE MARRIAGE PLOT, on Thurs 3 May, 9-10pm

9 replies

TillyBookClub · 28/03/2012 13:38

'To start with, look at all the books'. So begins the very first sentence in our April Book of the Month, THE MARRIAGE PLOT by Jeffrey Eugenides. And books are everywhere in this novel: Victorian love stories, literary theories, philosophical tracts, holy scripture and all sorts of writing in between.

It is 1982, and three undergraduates are about to leave Brown University. Madeleine, an idealistic and romantic English Literature addict, is infatuated with Leonard, her mercurial and scientific boyfriend. Meanwhile, theology student Mitchell is convinced that he and Madeleine are destined to be together. Full of idealism and ideas, all three embark on a journey of discovery that reveals adult life is definitely no fairy tale - nor a classic Jane Austen novel.

THE MARRIAGE PLOT crammed with energy and intelligence; it makes you think big and bold. But more than that, it is funny, warm, tender and understanding. Eugenides' writing is seemingly effortless; it amuses and beguiles and thoroughly entertains. And it is full of those small, telling details that are perfect in their perception of human emotion, and in understanding the fallibility of human nature. A true modern classic.

You can find out more at our book of the month page, and read an interview with Eugenides here.

4th Estate have 50 copies of the book to give away to Mumsnetters. To claim yours, please go to the book of the month page and fill in your details.

We'll post on the thread when all the copies have been sent out but if you're not lucky enough to bag one of those, you can always get your paperback or Kindle version here.

We're delighted that Jeffrey Eugenides will be joining us to talk about THE MARRIAGE PLOT, and his other novels, on Thursday 3 May, 9-10pm.

Whether you've read this book, previous books, or just want to ask him how he started writing, come along and join in.

Meanwhile, do keep posting your thoughts and any advance questions on this thread.

Looking forward to it...

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MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 29/03/2012 13:33

@Hullygully

I love Jeffrey.

I already have and have read this.

And Middlesex is on my tip top list.

I love you Jeffrey!

Great to hear this Hully. And for anyone who's just joined this thread, there are still copies of The Marriage Plot left, so do apply asap.

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 29/03/2012 16:25

The fifty copies have now all gone. We'll be contacting those who have been lucky shortly and have sent over your details to Fourth Estate who will be sending the books out. If you've missed out this time, buy the hardback now, the kindle edition or pre-order the paperback now for 12 April.

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 10/04/2012 11:21

We're just chasing to see when the books should arrive and will post up as soon as we hear back.

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 10/04/2012 12:06

Have just heard back from 4th Estate that the books have all been sent out so should be with you soon. Let us know when they start to arrive. Although it's a fairly lengthy novel it's v compelling, so you should still have time to read before Jeffrey joins us on May 3rd.

MNHQ

NancyMumsnet · 02/05/2012 11:02

Hi Jeffrey,

I've been a big fan of yours, ever since I got a copy of the Virgin Suicides when I was a teenager, and then when I picked Middlesex up a few years later, I couldn't put it down.

The Marriage Plot was TERRIFIC - oh my god!! I was gushing about it to everyone from about the first chapter on, and I couldn't put it down. I even found myself deliberately slowing myself from finishing it took quickly. I'm actually looking forward to re-reading it again. I don't think I ever related so much to each character individually before. What a joy it was to read. Thank you.

My question is that I've noticed that between all three of your books - Virgin Suicides, Middlesex, Marriage Plot - there's a theme of emerging teenage sexuality, confusion and subverted desire, particularly within young women (though this was obviously across more of a spectrum in Middlesex.)

Was this always an interest of yours - have you studied it? Obviously the Greek myth of Oedipus, with the themes of sex, desire, incest, forbidden and blindness appears in Middlesex, between Calliope and the Obscure Object in particular, but have you had any other education in the field? What draws you to writing about this?

MNHQ

carriemumsnet · 02/05/2012 18:27

I can't believe I'm missing this discussion. I loved Middlesex and think I loved this one even more. I even sat down to read when the kids were still up to finish it...I can't tell you how rare that is...probably never happened before, the children were a bit stunned Smile. I also couldn't wait to give it to my best friend but now I've passed it on feel a little bereft. I'm slightly embarrassed as an English grad that I (apparently) missed lots of literary references/parallels - I was too wound up in the characters/plot (never really did that well in literary theory when I studied English either, so it was interesting to revisit that in the book). Did you sit down to write a novel full of literary references/parallels or did you have the story in your head and the refs came naturally as you went along? Or are all those folks spotting literary refs wrong and it's just a jolly good read after all:)
Again sorry to miss you and thanks for coming on MN. Really looking forward to your next book so do crack on won't you Grin

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 03/05/2012 22:32

@Abcinthia

I am sad he has had problems. I was looking forward to the discussion.

What time is the form going live tomorrow for May's book?

The page is almost ready, so let's say 10.30am. It's a cracking novel, so well worth trying to get a copy.

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 03/05/2012 23:31

Goodnight!

Thanks so much for all your answers, we got there despite shades of Madeleine and Mitchell - timing all awry.

We'll look forward to your short stories and next novel (as patiently as possible).

Thank you again.

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 03/05/2012 23:33

I'm still here..when we announce the new book of the month, we are lucky enough to get a number of copies in to the office and never before has there been such a buzz about a book as this month - and lots of us new to your novels (like someone else, I;m also reading your novels in reverse). One thing: NancyMumsnet is a HUGE fan of yours and you seem to have mixed up the answer to her question. Any chance you can go back and answer her question?

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