Saturday, March 17, 2007

Have been reading Jeffrey Eugenides's book, "Middlesex". It's a passable read. He's got a nice, light touch, and the pages go by quickly. Can't help but feel that the characters are sort of wooden, spokespeople for different qualities or characteristics of the narrator. I don't buy the depiction of brother-sister incest. The two group up in a village house, in intimate quarters as brother and sister. I don't see the romantic, erotic connection between them at all, aside from the normal sexual curiosity of young people.

The other thing that bothers me is that the story of their departure from Asia Minor, and their decision to marry sounds familiar. I can't help but feel that I've read it before. I wondered if Kazan's "America, America" didn't have some of those same elements.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

First entries

Hello, my name is John Melithoniotes. My wife Marilyn and I live in Watertown, Massachusetts. I'm not yet sure how I'll use this blog, but I thought I'd give it a try.