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Books/book club

The Middlesteins

(115 Posts)
GeraldineGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 08-Mar-13 09:18:02

Our March book club novel is The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg, the story of Edie, who is eating herself to death. Can her family save her? Should they? And why are we so obsessed by food?

Jami Attenberg will be doing a Q&A for us at the end of the month, so please - especially if you got a free book - do ask a question here.

vegasmags Wed 20-Mar-13 18:01:28

It is indeed Ariadne. Personally, I've never been able to stand Jane Eyre - too Mills and Boon for my liking. Just as well for these authors that we don't all like the same stuff!

j08 Wed 20-Mar-13 18:26:40

How soon should we start actually mentioning events in the book? Don't want to put up spoilers for anyone who hasn't read it yet. confused

Ariadne Wed 20-Mar-13 21:23:36

Didn't!!! -grin

worlie Thu 21-Mar-13 12:35:48

GOT OT, READ IT, BINNED IT,WASNT IMPRESSED, SORRY

j08 Thu 21-Mar-13 15:36:28

shock Fish it out of the bin, wipe it down, and Oxfam it!

I really like it. Nearly finished it.

j08 Thu 21-Mar-13 15:41:27

And don't shout.

soop Thu 21-Mar-13 16:07:02

grin

Gorki Thu 21-Mar-13 16:40:03

OXFAM. Good idea. That is where mine is going when I've struggled my way through it. Can't believe the retail price is £11.99 ! But I will reserve final judgement until the bitter end. May change my mind. confused

Grandmanorm Fri 22-Mar-13 08:36:02

I finished it last night and it is not my kind of book, but am delighted to receive all kinds of books from Gransnet as that way I find new authors. I agree Gorki, I couldn't believe the retail price either.
I take my books to the local farm shop where they are sold for the local Children's hospice. Over the last 6 years £20.000.00 has been raise this way.
Sorry, slight diversion of topic, but thought it relevant.

Gorki Fri 22-Mar-13 09:08:35

I echo your thoughts entirely*Grandmanorm*.I have just finished it this minute and was surprised about the ending but will say no more !

JillMay Fri 22-Mar-13 11:31:16

Many thanks for my copy. I have just started to read it.

pamjoy Fri 22-Mar-13 11:36:55

Many thanks for my copy which arrived whilst I was away last week. Looking forward to reading it and sharing views with other readers.

inishowen Fri 22-Mar-13 11:47:14

I received my book too and am half way through it. i love it! It's my sorta story.

wallers5 Fri 22-Mar-13 11:48:46

Thanks for the book. I tried reading it and it is not really my genre but very good to broaden my reading horizon. I have passed it to my mother in law and she is thrilled.

frida Fri 22-Mar-13 12:00:08

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.

annelouise06 Fri 22-Mar-13 14:20:11

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

betsysgran Fri 22-Mar-13 15:46:59

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

katesheilaskate Fri 22-Mar-13 17:52:16

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.

kitty31 Fri 22-Mar-13 22:18:46

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

Forzanonna Sat 23-Mar-13 09:08:32

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

anniesk Sat 23-Mar-13 15:20:07

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

LullyDully Mon 25-Mar-13 10:11:08

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.

JennyB Mon 25-Mar-13 14:24:17

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. smile

gardener Mon 25-Mar-13 14:43:40

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 ?

Ariadne Tue 26-Mar-13 09:07:31

Dd is loving it!