This is yet another decadent American narrative, firmly set within the polluted wasteland of industrial up-state New York during the 1950s.

Oates, in this work, once again delves into her familiar domain of dysfunctional families. These families are burdened with shattered dreams and rather sordid relationships.

The atmosphere of that era is splendidly captured, encompassing McCarthyism, the prevalence of bomb shelters, and the nascent protest movement.

The story seems to paint a rather bleak picture of life during that time, yet it also compels the reader to look deeper, to search for those possible flickers of hope that might be hidden beneath the surface.

Perhaps, just perhaps, in the midst of all this chaos and despair, there lies a glimmer of something better, something that could potentially transform the lives of these characters and offer them a new beginning.

But for now, as the story unfolds, we are left to grapple with the harsh realities and wonder what the future holds for these individuals trapped in their own personal dramas.

Every ten years or so, I find myself drawn to reading an Oates. As I begin, I am immediately reminded of what a truly great writer she is. Her words have the power to captivate and engage, pulling me into the story with ease.

However, as I near the end of the book, I am once again confronted with the reasons why I never really want to read her things. There is something about her writing that, while brilliant, can also be overwhelming and even a bit disturbing.

Perhaps it is the intensity of her characters and their emotions, or the dark and often complex themes that she explores. Whatever the reason, I always seem to come away from an Oates novel with a sense of unease.

Despite this, I cannot deny the fact that she is a master of her craft. Her writing is both beautiful and thought-provoking, and it challenges me to think about the world in new and different ways. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to pick up another Oates and see where her words take me.

If you've delved into the books penned by Boomers, and you happen to be younger (as in my case, being the offspring of Boomers), then you're likely quite familiar with a substantial amount of ground reporting on the 50's.

Here, it's not simply the author's lamentations, but rather the characters persistently harping (as they often do, going on and on about things) about what it was like to live in that era. It wasn't all an economic boom for everyone. There was McCarthyism, the Cold War, bomb shelters, and sexual uptightness/hypocrisy.

And for us, the non-Boomers, perhaps it might seem like beating a dead horse. But, you know, it kind of reminds me of our own Great Stories that are scarcely written.

9/11, the swine flu scare, stolen elections. To those more perceptive than myself, the media and government's reaction to HIV/AIDS in the 90's felt like an Essential Tell. So I understand, JCO.

The pace was a little sluggish at times, lagging. The boxing jargon, which was probably making a point but I just couldn't be bothered. However, the multiple narrators and especially the male (dad and Felix) points of view were, I thought, excellent, very well executed. I'm not entirely sure if I fully grasped or believed Warren completely, but I liked the relationship between him and Enid, that strained closeness and grasping distance. The sensitive issue that the book focuses on was also great. I passed it on.

Outstanding.

I have no words--none that would do this book justice, in any case.

I have platitudes aplenty. And awe.

This book cuts a slice of life in 1950's America and shows its layers in excruciating detail.

It is poignant but never even glancing at maudlin or even sentimental.

The characters--so quirky, so different from any others--come through in unavoidable flesh and blood.

We find ourselves identifying with them, their baseness, their desire to hide it, their shame, and we feel the inevitability of their lives.

It is a wonderful, wonderful book that I'll come back to over and over.

Each time I read it, I discover new nuances and understandings.

The author's ability to bring this era and these characters to life is truly remarkable.

The story is not only a reflection of a specific time and place but also a universal exploration of human nature.

It makes us think about our own lives, our own flaws, and our own desires.

This book is a masterpiece that will surely stand the test of time.