This is one of those books that took me a while to get into but I enjoyed once I was involved. It isn't, however, standout enough for me to really ruminate on the beauty of the story or language and it's not infuriating enough or inept enough for me to rage about the book. It simply is and is there and is charming in its own way. I don't think it's something that will still for me for too long, but it was an enjoyable read/listen. 
 I do need to say that I genuinely, absolutely, completely loathed Rose. Mort, I eventually came to understand and somewhat care for but Rose, I essentially hated from beginning to end. I feel as though this is slightly unfair as the event on which this story hinges is a major event and its clear that Rose wasn't mentally well from the start, but still, I hated her. I hated how she essentially punished everyone else for an event which occurred, in part because of her decision and action.