Witty, dry, sharp and intelligent in a smart arse kind of way, The Marriage Plot is a cringeworthy, touching, heartfelt and laugh out loud story about a group of students at an American I
Witty, dry, sharp and intelligent in a smart arse kind of way, The Marriage Plot is a cringeworthy, touching, heartfelt and laugh out loud story about a group of students at an American Ivy League University. Set in the early 1980’s The Marriage Plot follows three graduates as they stumble into the adult word fresh from graduation.
Madeleine Hanna is an honest, hardworking, literature geek. She knows where it is she wants to be in life, sort of, but men just seem to keep getting in the way, one man being her intelligent, charming, sharp witted boyfriend Leonard. With a fellowship at a prestigious laboratory and promising future as a scientist, he’s quite the catch: if only he could get over his manic depression, thoughts of suicide, his damaged childhood and his broken home.
Bringing the love triangle to a close is Madeleine friend, and on again off again love interest Mitchell. Originally planning to be an English major (much like the love of his life Madeleine) God got in the way. Mitchell began to pursue a degree in Religious studies, dabbled in mysticism, moved to Indian and began volunteering for Mother Teresa, all the while trying to come to terms with the love of his life not loving him back.
Eugenides has perfectly, honestly and humorously captured what it feels like to be on the brink of adulthood, while not really knowing what the fuck to do, where to go, or who to be. His characters are complex and intense, much like his narrative. The Marriage Plot is the honest, entertaining and thought provoking story of student life, of growing up and of falling in and out of love, with some very good literature references along the way.
