This is an absolutely INSANE book. Something I never ever would have picked up if it hadn't been a book club pick. While incredibly clever, witty and funny, this book was also PAINFUL to read sometimes. A specific plot point in particular made me *physically ill* to read and I absolutely hate hate hate how that plot point panned out in the end. (Spoiler: it was the one about Peggy Jean's pedophile husband)

This book was steeped in pop cultural and late 90s references so it was interested to read it today and see what held up vs. what didn't and what was still true/relevant. I found Peggy Jean to be the most fleshed out and interesting character but she also made me deeply deeply sad. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job with all of the voices and it definitely helped make the story even funnier.

This also reminded me big time of Vanessa Bayer and Molly Shannon's show "I Love That for You" which I also thought was fascinating and clever and hilarious. A QVC-type setting is just such a perfect setting for this kind of story (aka a story about ridiculous people).

I enjoyed this quite a bit. It isn't tremendously deep, but it's a good story and it's put together well. I actually think I liked it better than his nonfiction, and I've read a few of those.

Brilliant, I hope Burroughs writes more novels one day.