The Maine novelist has set this story in modern times mainly in the towns of Crosby and Shirley Falls, Maine. It seems that every adult is divorced at least once and most have had a traumatic childhood. There are none who could remotely be considered normal. There is endless self analysis and everyone seems keen to take offence at the slightest comment.
Endlessly philosophical talk, discussion and psychoanalysis between Lucy and Bob about loneliness and the impossibility of really getting to know anyone leads to no real conclusion. Bob Burgess, a criminal defence lawyer is so insecure that when he gets a bad haircut, he is embarrassed to the point of avoiding friends for weeks.
There are some naive medical assertions. A comatose accident victim comes to and begins to talk to his father although a few paragraphs before he still had an endotracheal tube in place and later he is said to have a cast on his shoulder.
The list of characters is lengthy and their relationships can be hard to keep track of. A guide to the main characters and their vocations at the start as a reference would have been helpful.
I learned nothing from this less-than-memorable novel. I promise that I will learn from my next read.
2.5/5
Thanks, Jean.
The Passionate Reader 