Well, of course, you don’t have to. But Oprah has chosen what many (and many to me basically means me and some friends) consider to be Detroit’s novel, Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides ^[1].

Eugenides grew up in Detroit and, although he has only published two books, is considered one of the most talented writers of the past ten years. Middlesex is a sort of bildungroman ^[2] of Calliope Stephanides, a young girl who grew up during the 60s and 70s in Detroit and Grosse Pointe and who, by the end of her tale, become Cal Stephanides. Cal’s development and evolution takes place during the devolution of the city of Detroit, with a particularly gripping and somewhat controversial chapter that takes place during the 67 riots. It’s a must read for any Detroiter interested in what it means to be a Detroiter.

As for Oprah, yeah, I know. I, too, was a hater. And although I’m no longer a hater, I’m still not much of a liker. However, Oprah doesn’t pick crappy books for her book club, and, as a result of Oprah’s interest in Middlesex, thousands of people will read about, talk about, and think about the city of Detroit that would never have taken the time to before. Be one of them and, to stay cool, be sure to pick up a copy from your local independent bookstore before the new cover comes out that will surely contain the big and impossible to remove “Oprah’s Bookclub” sticker.

It will be interesting to check on Oprah’s website ^[3] to read her viewers’ comments on the book and their thoughts about the representation of Detroit offered therein.