I really enjoyed this particular piece.

I was quite fond of the references made to IL, which added an interesting layer to the story.

The characters were not only interesting but also a bit different from what I'm used to, which made them stand out.

I especially liked Hamilton's prose in this work. It was robust, yet it seemed to flow effortlessly, as if it was written with great ease.

C, perhaps this is your copy that I have in my possession, but I will make sure to bring it back to you so that you can give it a try and form your own opinion.

However, I must admit that having a character named Mitch might be a bit distracting. It could potentially draw the reader's attention away from the main plot or other important aspects of the story.

Overall, though, I still found this to be an engaging and enjoyable read.

What can one say about this remarkable piece of literature? It is truly exquisite writing that not only fully captures the agonies of adolescence but also, in this particular case, adds the heart-wrenching agony of a brother dying of cancer.

Another crucial theme that emerges strongly in this novel is the profound significance of hallowed family places. It could be a single childhood home, a nature retreat that offers solace and refuge, or perhaps simply a town or city that has etched itself deeply into your memory, filling it with a tangible sense of place and time.

Jane Hamilton possesses an intense and extraordinary ability to put the most complex and difficult emotions into words. While at times this novel can be a thoroughly depressing read, it is also a work of great substance and power. It forces the reader to confront the harsh realities of life and the human condition, yet it also offers glimmers of hope and redemption. It is a novel that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.

I've read two of Hamilton's novels before this one, and I really enjoyed them. However, this particular book was a disappointment for me.

I don't like giving a poor rating to any novel, but unfortunately, I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy this one. It felt like I was waiting for death through 349 pages. None of the characters were likeable, which made it hard for me to engage with the story.

The writing style also didn't appeal to me. I found it to be overly detailed and boring. Once I passed the halfway mark, I forced myself to finish reading it quickly just to get it over with.

In the end, this book left me dissatisfied in every possible way. I had high expectations based on Hamilton's previous works, but this one just didn't live up to them.