The Marriage Plot
The Marriage Plot
By Jeffrey Eugenides
This is the second book I’ve read by Jeffrey Eugenides. The first was “Middlesex” which alas, I did not finish. Eugenides’ books require serious concentration for me to read. His use of language and extensive vocabulary intrigue me yet make me feel undereducated. Maybe it’s his Ivy League background and I’m a state college type…
“The Marriage Plot” set in college is a tale of a woman and two men immersed in a love triangle, told from the perspective of each.
One character, Mitchell, studies religious philosophy and provides Eugenides a format to delve into a broad spectrum of religious dogma. A Russian fable from “A Confession” by Tolstoy particularly captured my attention. I have to admit the only Tolstoy I’ve read to-date is “Anna Karenina” which I have not finished. Stuck on page 337 for oh, the last year or so, and just not that interested… Are you sensing a trend here?
To paraphrase the fable: A man chased by a monster jumps into a well. He sees a dragon at the bottom waiting to eat him. He spots a branch growing from the wall and grabs on for dear life, relieved momentarily, until he sees two mice gnawing at the branch. He considers his certain death. He notices a few drops of honey dripping from the end of the branch. He licks the honey. The human predicament, no getting around we’re not getting out of this alive, but we’re going to take pleasure in the taste of the honey in the meantime.
However disturbing this eventuality, I intend to lick whatever honey comes my way for as long as I’m on this planet.
“The Marriage Plot” has an unexpected and most satisfactory ending. It’s a thought provoking book and well worth the read.
Maybe I’ll give “Middlesex” another try.
By Jeffrey Eugenides
This is the second book I’ve read by Jeffrey Eugenides. The first was “Middlesex” which alas, I did not finish. Eugenides’ books require serious concentration for me to read. His use of language and extensive vocabulary intrigue me yet make me feel undereducated. Maybe it’s his Ivy League background and I’m a state college type…
“The Marriage Plot” set in college is a tale of a woman and two men immersed in a love triangle, told from the perspective of each.
One character, Mitchell, studies religious philosophy and provides Eugenides a format to delve into a broad spectrum of religious dogma. A Russian fable from “A Confession” by Tolstoy particularly captured my attention. I have to admit the only Tolstoy I’ve read to-date is “Anna Karenina” which I have not finished. Stuck on page 337 for oh, the last year or so, and just not that interested… Are you sensing a trend here?
To paraphrase the fable: A man chased by a monster jumps into a well. He sees a dragon at the bottom waiting to eat him. He spots a branch growing from the wall and grabs on for dear life, relieved momentarily, until he sees two mice gnawing at the branch. He considers his certain death. He notices a few drops of honey dripping from the end of the branch. He licks the honey. The human predicament, no getting around we’re not getting out of this alive, but we’re going to take pleasure in the taste of the honey in the meantime.
However disturbing this eventuality, I intend to lick whatever honey comes my way for as long as I’m on this planet.
“The Marriage Plot” has an unexpected and most satisfactory ending. It’s a thought provoking book and well worth the read.
Maybe I’ll give “Middlesex” another try.
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