The Middlesteins

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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

I enjoyed the book too - thanks Gransnet.

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

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

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?

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

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 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 !

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?!

OMG! Will abandon everything and finish it.

#didnttakemuchpersuading

I loved the character of Kenneth! And his food was obviously delicious. But he was quite enigmatic. Why did he love Edie so much when she was so infuriating?

Do you plot first? I liked the way you went backwards and forwards in time. I imagine you need to know exactly where you are going to do that?

Hi, Sorry I've been away for a while. Things have become hectic since
I had my debut novel Shadow Across the Liffey published.

I've been lucky in winning two books from Gransnet and hope to be lucky
again soon. Sad to have missed Judy Finnigan and other good guests.

I'll call in again soon.

I haven't finished the book yet, but I am loving it and I know this is the last day to comment. I have found The Middlesteins to be a very insightful book - Jami Attenberg has made me think about how we all have have our 'thing' that we use to help us to cope with what life deals us. In the book Edie obviously uses food, Richard uses 'dating', Robin uses alcohol, Benny uses drugs and Rachelle is a control freak. We all have our 'thing', it's just that for those who use food as a coping mechanism, it's for all to see as you put on weight. It's a lot easier to hide gambling or shopping. Quick question - why Chicago and not New York?

I was interested in why Edie's family didn't want to help. You don't seem to suggest that she'd been a bad wife and mother. Benny's response was to turn away, a bit like his father, and Robin was resentful. Do you think this is what addiction does to people? (In my experience, family members are desperate to do anything that will rescue the addict).

Thanks - very enjoyable read.

In my experience, after continual knock backs, the family give up. You cannot help any addict who does not want to be helped.

I would like to ask Jami whether she trained to be a writer - did she take creative writing classes? They have become very popular in the US I think - although in my young day (listen to me!) we would have thought writing couldn't be taught. What's her view?

HI Jami, what are you writing about now? Is it another novel about family? The Middlesteins has done well, I think - does that put pressure on you from publishers and readers to do something similar? Thanks

Thank you very much for the book which I enjoyed although I didn't find the characters very likeable. I would ask Jami whether she had the storyline mapped out in her mind before she started writing or whether the plot evolved and, in effect, took on a life of its own as she was writing.

While I was reading this I kept wondering what was the point of it. It was only when I'd finished that I realised it was more a look at life and its varied but fairly ordinary characters. We probably could all recognise at least one person in the book from those we know. Can I ask Ms Attenberg if that was her intention or have I totally missed the point?
Spoiler alert: I was disappointed to discover at just over a third of the way through that Edie dies in the end. Why did you do that at that moment in the story?
Not the sort of book I would normally look at but would be interested to read more of Ms Attenberg's work. An enjoyable and satisfying read. Thanks to Gransnet for my copy.