I might not be intellectual enough to appreciate this book. As a whole, it was an interesting story though.

Four stars!

A very interesting book set in the 80's concerning a girl, Madeleine, her boyfriend, Leonard, and her eternal friend Mitchell, who's also in love with her. While the story seems quite simple and straight forward, it slowly starts getting more complicated by their different personalities, illnesses and interests, which in turn make the book have to deal with some serious issues in a very real way.

I strongly recommend reading the last half of this book alone because this is one of those books that have you yelling things at the pages while you're reading lol The author makes you feel very strong (positive and negative) feelings about each of the characters, so for me it was impossible not to express those emotions in a very vocal way. Maybe that was just me, but hey, consider yourself warned :) 

Four stars and I'll continue reading this author in the future!

I love the writing of Jeffery Euginedes. It's both deeply honest and vastly thorough. The Marriage Plot is the second book I've read by this author and I look forward to also reading The Virgin Suicides. This story is of Madeline, a college student/graduate, set in the 80's and how she deals with the two men who love her. An English major, Madeline's senior thesis is based on the theme of "marriage plots" of the Victorian classics, hence the fitting title of this book.

Madeline is mostly involved with Leonard throughout the story and tries desperately to make sense of his manic depression, thinking if she loves him enough they will share a good life. Coming from opposite backgrounds lends to frustration and needed compromise to maintain this relationship.

Mitchell loves Madeline from afar and agonizes over the missed opportunity to win her heart. While he and Madeline come from similar backgrounds, Mitchell patiently waits for her to realize he is the one she belongs with.

This is not your average love story but anyone who is familiar with or enjoys the typical Jane Austen theme should like this book.

To compare this to Middlesex is a mistake-akin to comparing grand opera to an intimate chamber piece. This book succeeds because it takes the structure and theme of a nineteenth century novel and turns them upside down. The love triangle which drives the plot reminds me of the Freudian view of self.