My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of very few novels that held my attention throughout. That’s saying a lot, given my toddler level attention span. I devoured it in a couple days, which is also highly unusual for me.

It’s hard to say why I found it so gripping, because I didn’t like the story at all (I dislike all sad stories–especially ones that have sad endings). Nor did I enjoy all the R-rated language. But something about the writing was almost mesmerizing. The dialogue is outstanding.

Another factor that held me was the narrator (I listened to the audiobook). He does an incredible job. He doesn’t just do the various voices, but really brings out the mannerisms of the different characters. As one who is currently recording an audiobook, it’s an amazing performance. I can’t think of a narrator I think did a better job.