I have been waiting for this novel for a looooong time ... Tom Perrotta is one of my favourite authors ('Little Children' is one of the best books I have ever read, and I've read it multiple times, it's that good) and when I finally held this book in my paws I was very excited. But a little nervous, too - because there is always that possibility of disappointment, right? Well, I had no worries at all with this. Right from the first page, I was gripped. The writing was sharp, insightful, careful but still seemed effortless (maybe the most carefully written novel I've read since Guy Saville's 'The Madagaskar Plan'). Whilst I didn't like all the characters, everyone was so excellently and competently drawn that I didn't need to. They were real to me. I was rooting for them all, even Brendan, and could quite happily have read more. Now I guess I have to begin the long wait for Perrotta's next novel. Sigh ...