Teddyrose Book Reviews Plus

Extreme Solitude by Jeffrey Eugenides

A couple of month after I started this blog, I read and reviewed Jefferey Eugenides, Middlesex If you click to read it, you will see that my reviews have improved some since then.  LOL!  However, I did really like the book.  So, when I came across this short story last week at The New Yorker, I had to read it. 

It is in the 1980 and Madeleine is working a an undergraduate degree in literature.  She is taking an upper level course in semiotics.  The professor has a convoluted theory and assigns a lot of literature that Madeleine has some trouble understand at first.  
In class she meets Leonard and eventually falls in love with him.  She goes on to describe their relationship.  Is this a good and health relationship?  You need to decide for yourself.  
I believe that Eugenides is trying to make fun of his characters and love in this story.  The story itself didn’t really work for me.  However what did work well was how he weaved what Madeleine was reading in with her relationship with Leonard.
You can read the story, here.
If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!
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