The Middlesteins

My favourite scene was the one narrated by the chorus of old friends at the b'nai mitvah. I felt this was the heart of the novel, really. I wanted to ask Jami if she really set out to wrrite about Judaism and assimilation and all the strains that come with that - was that the starting point, because it felt like it to me?!

I am half-way through the book and enjoying it.Found the disintegration of Edie's marriage very sad. It has really put me off McDonald's !

I've just started this book and so far Im enjoying it. Easy to see how mothers use food to make their children feel better. I'd like to ask why the author choose such a subject as overweight when it's such a sensitive one to many people.

I liked the insights into middle aged dating! Was that something you had to research?

The book seems to me ultimately quite depressing - Edie is such a rich and competent character but her disillusionment with her life leads her to self-destruct. This sort of disappointment with life is common among middle aged women - we realise what might have been.

Jami, was it your intention to imply that we need to take comfort in things that hurt us, because life is really pretty grim?

The one character I really disliked was Rachelle. I wanted to ask Jami where she came from and if she wanted to give readers a hate-figure. Was she in some sense meant to make Edie more sympathetic, by being her opposite (controlling, neurotic, self-denying)?

Really enjoyed the book, thanks

I enjoyed the book too - thanks Gransnet.

I wanted to ask Jami why she decided to tell the story from multiple points of view?

Hi just finished the book enjoyed it found it sad that they never seemed to truly love each other it makes you step back a look at your self or is that just me I will be going back on my diet would liked it to have been longer good strong characters thanks again for the book

Just getting cracking reading this book found it an interesting topic to choose to write a book about wondered why the author had chosen it?

Any sign of Ms Attenberg on the horizon yet? (how long have I got to finish it?) #toomuchGNing

To be honest I found the book rather dull - I was delighted to receive a copy as it promised to be good - not a subject that has been written about much - at least as far as my experience goes.
It was quick and easy to read, but just seemed to skim over everything. It is a great idea for a book, but it could have been so much more.

I thought it was very poignant that he wasn't allowed the plate that his family had brought over from Europe. So he was cut off from all his family...sad.

Having just read 2 heavy duty books I was very pleased to get this one from Gransnet - my 4th book by the way - and I am loving it. I'm now half way through it and I already have a small queue of friends wishing to borrow it when I'm done.

Dd is loving it!

Thanks so much for the book.
I have just finished it ..what a good read ! I must admit when I first picked it up I didn't fancy the subject matter. But as soon as I started to read it I was hooked. It proved to be a fascinating story, well written with all the characters so believable. I really cared about them all.
I would like to ask the author ...Has she actually met someone like Edie ?

I agree with vegasmags, I was totally gripped by The Middlesteins. I felt very sad for Edie, such a bright capable woman who couldn't or wouldn't stop eating. The nights when she found Benny in her kitchen trying to ensure she wouldn't eat before her ops, were very sad. I felt Rachelle and how she controlled what her family ate made me feel as if she had as big a problem with food as Edie.So thank you for a great book Jami.

My question for Jami is, why was Edie so angry when Richard left? I thought she would be pleased and may be would start eating less.

Have just finished the book which is very hard hitting. Very interesting, I enjoyed it. It s not a 'chapter a night' book. All characters flawed like the rest of us. Sad, but they do get on with life generally.

I was wondering how I came to have a copy of the Middlesteins drop through my letterbox earlier this month. Thank you so much. I am sure I shall enjoy reading it.xx

I'm struggling to get into this book - but will persevere, never like to let a book get the better of me

Just received this book on my return from holiday - looking forward to reading this

Thank you for the book: such a treat to get a lovely new one. I have read it all except the last chapter. Really enjoyed it so far - just hope it doesn't end too badly. It's the sort of book to read all in one sitting - like someone said they did on a long haul flight. That way the moving backwards and forwards through weight and time works - you don't have time to lose the plot! I would have liked a pounds/stone calculator with it: my 14 times table isn't great and I had to keep working out Edie's weight in stones, as pounds don't mean much to us Brits, as far as people-weights are concerned.

I'd like to ask Jami whether she intends to develop the same characters further: might make a good trilogy, following the generations - although maybe it's too fixed in time for that as yet. I'd definitely like to know more about Emily's life and how she develops.

Thanks for my copy. Just started another book when it arrived but will read it next. It's getting very mixed reviews!!

Thank you so much for the book. I have started reading it and am really enjoying it. I'll be back with some questions!

This is the worst book I have ever read, well, I read half of it, couldn't be bothered to read the rest of it.