As a first novel, The Virgin Suicides is stunning. Middlesex is, in my mind, the pinnacle of his literary career to date.

The Marriage Plot was fine; Fresh Complaint was a letdown.

I have often found myself wrestling with this perspective with directors and bands as well. They make well-above-average art overall, yet audiences/readers and critics frequently can't get past holding them to the standard of their best work, perhaps not realizing how rare such accomplishments are in any medium.