I’m currently reading Jeffrey Eugenides’ classic novel, Middlesex, for the first time, after receiving numerous recommendations and urgings to read it from friends, co-workers, even strangers.

I knew absolutely nothing about the novel prior to delving into it. The black-and-white cover, showing a distant steam ship surrounded by murky-looking tides, and the title, which instantly made me think of ‘ye olde’ English aristocrats eating crumpets and discussing London politics, revealed nothing about the true plot of the novel.

Just by glancing at the engrossing first sentence, readers immediately realize that the novel’s appearance is quite deceiving. I guess as an English major I’ve come to analyze absolutely everything literary, but maybe I need to take a step back and learn to take things at face value, at least somewhat.

The title Middlesex should be taken literally, as it refers to someone who is exactly that: somewhere in between the biological sexes, a combination therein. Most commonly, those who are born with this condition are known as intersex or hermaphrodites. The novel’s narrator and protagonist, Callie/Cal, was born a girl, but like the novel itself, appearances aren’t always what they originally seem.

The story of Cal’s ancestry and self-discovery is captivating, and I can see why this book came so highly recommended and with plenty of glowing scholarly reviews—and I’m not even midday through the novel yet. Fans of the novel will be delighted to hear that HBO has optioned Middlesex for a one-hour series, produced by Rita Wilson.

Anyone who is fascinated by gender identity and looking for a nice, long novel to sink their teeth into should give Middlesex a try. Since gender studies is a topic that greatly interests me, I’ll be taking David Fryer’s special topics course, Queer Theory, which is offered through the Women’s Studies program, this fall—and you should consider taking it, too!

And to satisfy your need for gender studies, in the meantime? Two words: Read Middlesex.