"The book has many different characteristics: some are extremely old-fashioned storytelling traits, but there are also a fair number of postmodern traits, and the self-consciousness is one"

This quote by Jeffrey Eugenides is referring to a book that he has actually checked out. He is saying that the book has a mix of both old-fashioned and postmodern storytelling qualities. The old-fashioned qualities are most likely to be more conventional, such as a direct plot and a clear lead character and villain. The postmodern qualities, on the other hand, are more speculative and often include a non-linear plot, several lead characters, and an absence of a clear antagonist. The self-consciousness that Eugenides mentions is likely describing the book's awareness of its own narrative structure and its ability to talk about itself. This self-awareness is a common trait of postmodern literature. Overall, this quote is highlighting the intricacy of the book and its capability to integrate both old-fashioned and postmodern storytelling traits.