The Middlesteins

I really enjoyed this book. At the beginning, and most of the way through, I felt angry towards Richard. I thought he was a rat deserting a sinking ship. But towards the end I came to like him and understand him. He was only human and he needed to get away and live the rest of his life. And he never really stopped caring about Edie completely.

I had no sympathy at all with Robin. She should have helped her mother much more than she did. She should not have gone away and never visited! Rachelle was a little bit mad, but she tried hard and she did a good job. I agree with Richard that Prozac would have helped her! Benny was just Benny. A typical man. Loved his mother, but was a bit ineffectual.

Poor Edie. She started with an unfortunate gene pool, and she just needed food. It was very sad that she didn't get any time with Kenneth. They would have been so good together.

My question is, which of the characters did you sympathise most with. Did you feel more on Edie's side, or Richard's? (I'm glad Richard found Berley)

that should have read "Beverley"!

I received a copy of the book and finished it last night. I enjoyed it because the subject matter was so different. Where did you get your inspiration to write about an obese woman?

Have only just started reading book and am not sure whether I'm enjoying it or not!
My question is : Where do the ideas for the characters come from? Are they people you know in real-life and have used their traits and characteristics as the basis for your book?

Thanks to Gransnet for book. Not something I'd have bought myself,but good to read another genre.

I enjoyed this book. It is a combination of sadness and humour. I would like to know if Jami based some of the characters on people she has met?

Thank you for my copy. Would like to know how long it took to write

Thank you Gransnet for my copy of the Middlesteins. Thank you Jami Attenberg for making me take a long look at the relationship we have with food and for making me curious to find out more about the Jewish culture and festivals. I went online to research things I read about in the book but didn't know so for me the book was educational as well as entertaining.

Loved the book and felt the characters were well defined. The Jewish humour and tragedy were portrayed so well . Would like to ask the author if this book reflects any of her own experiences of Judaism?

Hi, Looks like I missed out on The Middlesteins.

How do Gransnet review books and how are they chosen?
HAPPY EASTER to everyone.

Thank you for my copy of The Middlesteins, I have just finished reading it today. Will it put me off my chocolate eggs? No of course not because I'm following the Intermittent Fast diet! A very good read with plenty to think about. Not quite sure what it if anything it was trying to say apart from family relationships can be very complicated.

I had trouble getting interested in "The Middlesteins" I'm afraid, perhaps because there are currently so many TV programmes about obesity. Not sure what this book was trying to say.

Struggling a little bit getting to grips with this book - have read two others book since receiving this one which hold my attention rather than this one- back to it now to see if i can actually finish it

thankyou for the State of Wonder which I really have enjoyed and has been passed on twice. I have had a copy of The Middlesteins which I have started but can't seem to get on with.. I have since put it down and will try again in the next few days...My daughter in law in Canada is really looking forward to reading it so I shall have to try to finish it...thankyou so much for the books they are a lovely treat. Where do you get your ideas from for the story?

Many thanks for my copy. However it was not a book that I enjoyed and cannot recommend it. A great shame as I have enjoyed all the other free book that I have had,please keep them coming!