{"product_id":"the-middlesteins-9781455507207","title":"The Middlesteins","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Middlesteins: A Powerful Family Drama by Jami Attenberg\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Middlesteins\u003c\/strong\u003e is a literary fiction novel that explores the complexities of marriage, family dynamics, and our relationship with food through the lens of a suburban Chicago family in crisis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eStory Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor over thirty years, Edie and Richard Middlestein built what appeared to be a solid family life in the Chicago suburbs. But their marriage begins to fracture when Richard makes the devastating decision to leave Edie, citing her dangerous obsession with food and her enormous weight gain. Edie's relationship with eating has become all-consuming, and her health hangs in the balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Richard abandons his wife, the responsibility falls to their adult children and extended family. Robin, their schoolteacher daughter, is determined to hold her father accountable. Benny, the easy-going son and family man, attempts to mediate and keep the peace. Rachelle, Benny's perfectionist wife, takes on the monumental task of saving Edie's life while simultaneously planning her twin children's elaborate b'nai mitzvah celebration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe novel poses a central question that resonates throughout: Are Edie's choices hers alone to bear, or does the responsibility extend to those around her?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout This Edition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis paperback edition from Grand Central Publishing captures Jami Attenberg's pitch-perfect prose, combining compassion with sly humor. \u003cem\u003eThe Middlesteins\u003c\/em\u003e was a finalist for the \u003cem\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/em\u003e Book Prize for Fiction, cementing its place as a significant work in contemporary American literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThemes and Setting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSet against the backdrop of Midwestern America, specifically suburban Illinois, the novel examines new and old love, the yearnings of suburban life, and America's complex relationship with food. The Jewish family's story touches on cultural identity, generational differences, and the weight of family obligations during major life transitions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJami Attenberg\u003c\/strong\u003e is the author of the story collection \u003cem\u003eInstant Love\u003c\/em\u003e and four novels: \u003cem\u003eThe Kept Man\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Melting Season\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Middlesteins\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eSaint Mazie\u003c\/em\u003e. Her essays and criticism have appeared in the \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eReal Simple\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eElle\u003c\/em\u003e, the \u003cem\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/em\u003e, and numerous other publications. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grand Central Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680936595730,"sku":"9781455507207","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_fff97af4-15a0-473b-836f-59cb4da391b5.jpg?v=1733946199","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-middlesteins-9781455507207","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}