Margarettown

I read this in a day. I'm not a rapid reader; I may read an abundant amount, but not in a short period of time. Not one single negative comment comes to mind when the word "Margarettown" is mentioned. I absolutely adored this book. Completely unconventional, very unique, and brilliantly written. The characters are so believable and true, you feel like they are all close friends (yes, even fictitious...May, Mia, Maggie, Marge, Greta, and Old Margaret; crucial to the book!). I also respect how Zevin comes across as a genuine intellect, not narcissistic. New favorite writer anyone? Surprised no one recommended this book sooner to me. Read it, now.

I rarely read a book in one day. This is the first in a very long time that I read in one sitting - it just carried me along. It is very . . . different. It's very much like being a passenger in a car when you thought you knew where you were going, but the driver keeps turning a different way. When you read it just go with it. You don't have to worry - the odd route is worth it.

Different, thoughtful, big-hearted, elegant, and slim (in an era of doorstoppers). The prose is so spare: it somehow makes it easier to bring yourself and your own life experiences to your reading. More in the style of Big Fish, though thematically deeper. I just really really loved this. I suspect that this is one of those books that people have to find on their own. As soon as I was done, I wanted to give it to my friends and family, because I wanted to discuss it with the people I love. I'm definitely going to check out the author's other books.

Gabrielle Zevin's debut novel tells the unusual story of N. and the woman (or women) he loves. He meets Maggie (nee Margaret) Towne in college, they fall in love, and she takes him home to meet the family. She's from a town called Margarettown and it is inhabited by 4 people; Old Margaret, the giggling youngster May, brooding teenager Mia, and the sour middle-aged Marge. The only one missing is the suicidal Greta. And they are all the same person, only at different ages. I'm not giving much away to reveal that these women are all the same woman ("you won't find a woman in the world that doesn't have a couple other women inside her," she says), however whether Margarettown is a real place or of N.'s invention is left in doubt. The explanation given by Old Margaret, of what happened to make her split into many different Margarets) is strange yet also strangely understandable. This novel is a wonderful portrayal of how one's identity is effected by life experience and aging. At times I was afraid Zevin wouldn't be able to hold all her plots together but they came out at the end all neatly tied in a bow. This story is darkly whimsical and the writing lighthearted, yet poignant.

The novel Margarettown, written by Gabrielle Zevin was a very captivating story about the relationship of one man and one women with several other women inside of her. N tells a story about learning how to love multiple women in one, losing her, trying to get through a summer with her family (all females) and going through an affair.N begins writing this novel for his daughter so she knows every detail about her decised mother before he passes away. During the first 100 pages or so, I wasn't very interested in the novel. I found it to be moderately slow paced and dull. The main idea seemed ridiculous and I couldn't understand why it was recommended. Eventually it started to change pace and it became a lot more interesting. I felt that the interaction between the two main characters was very realistic even though it may seem completely fiction when you're reading it. Since the author of the novel is a female, I found that one of the most compelling features of the book was that the story is told MAINLY from a male's point of view. At first I found that to be awkward, but after reading it I changed my mind. Once I completed this novel, I was very satisfied. It was a short book and an easy read. I felt that the ending was appropriate and realized that if the beginning didn't have so much stress on just two topics, then there would be no point to the story. This isn't an immature novel, but when recommending this book, I belive that the young adult reader may enjoy it a little more. Generally it MAY be more preffered to a younger audience. Overall, Gabrielle Zevin definately produced a great first novel that is worth reading.