The Middle Place
by Kelly Corrigan
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Book Reviews of The Middle Place
Book Review: Wish I could get back the hours I wasted reading this
Summary: 2 Stars
My book club picked this so I suffered through it. I am sincerely surprised that it got published! I agree with other reviewers that it starts out fine, but quickly turns into a compilation of the author telling boring little stories about growing up in a a nice, middle class family. The story jumps from the present and her struggle with breast cancer to some silliness about prom or buying a pair of jeans when she was growing up. She shares small details of spending time living all over the world exploring new and exciting experiences and then suddenly she's in a sales meeting in New York having a business meeting and can't fly home to San Francisco because she's afraid to fly?
The author comes across as self-centered, self-absorbed, and boring. And actually says that having breast cancer makes her body "defective." I find that highly offensive.
Don't waste your time!
Book Review: Good Story but..
Summary: 4 Stars
I absolutely loved parts of this book that Kelly Corrigan wrote about growing up in an Irish Catholic family. The best character is her father, Greenie. It is obvious that he is a very special person and is loved by all. I guess what is bothering me after finishing the book is the author's lack of "faith." Her parents were such firm believers in their Catholic faith and all that it embodied. At times the author seems to come across as a non-believer. This was very apparent when her daughter asked what happens when people die. She didn't have an answer and said something like, "I don't know." After all that her dad had taught her and she doesn't have a better answer than that?
The best chapters in the book are when the author speaks of her father and how much she loves him. I would recommend this book but came away somewhat disappointed.
Book Review: well-written, surprisingly upbeat, relatable
Summary: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. It's very well-written and moving. I was surprised that it was NOT a sad book overall, more positive.
For those who did not like the "childishness" or "self-focus" of the author... I thought that was sort of the key thing: the book is about her process of growing up.
This would have actually made a great work of fiction - and yes, the dad does sound a bit over-the-top, but I guess that is the way she sees him and I doubt she's exaggerating. There were also a lot of anecdotes in the middle that seemed only slightly related to the point being made, but I still enjoyed them!
Overall, a comfortable, enjoyable read
(P.S. I don't know why Amazon recommends "jewish fiction" as a tag for this book, because the Kelly Corrigan's family is Catholic!)
Book Review: Quick Reader
Summary: 4 Stars
It is necessary to feel great compassion and empathy for the author of this book. She suffered a great deal physically and emotionally. This is not a book for everyone; it can be sad and depressing. Since I have never gone through her ordeal, it could be easy to say, "Get a grip." but she did remarkably well under the circumstances and her honesty about her feelings is amazing. How many of us would be willing to share such an intimate ordeal. Her husband was truly a "giant" in his ability to cope and to support her and the children. Her father's illness seemed more than any of them should have had to cope with. I'm glad I read the book; I think it was well-written. I hope I never have to suffer as she and her family did. Most of all, I pray that she remains well and cancer-free as I do for us all.Book Review: Delivers a more than what you'd expect
Summary: 4 Stars
I confess...I am suspicious of books that are a mass market success. I approach them the way you might a piece of smelly cheese or raw fish. But like a great bleu or fresh sashimi, The Middle Place more than lives up to the marketing hype. I'm not sure I found the book to be about what the sound-bytes said it was about, but I loved Corrigan for her strong voice, her unflinching honesty, and her cheery bravado. The first two-thirds were page-turners and I hardly put the book down during that time. I didn't even mind that I knew what was going to happen, since I'd seen Corrigan on Facebook. This wasn't the kind of book you'd think of first for a summer read. But it was just what I needed to read this summer. I found something to admire on every page.