I’m mystified by those who find this novel dull or somehow not up to snuff. I am totally enthralled by it, and find myself re-reading paragraphs because of Enger’s uncanny ability to get the language “just right.” He is a master when it comes to the turn of a phrase. The story is full of tongue-in-cheek, humorous observations by the main character that make me chuckle. Enger’s characters are fully developed and unique in personality … but still very believable. Perhaps the naysayers are used to reading something more Stephen King-like: page-turners that in the end come off as rather shallow … certainly, not great literature.

This book is one to savor slowly.