I really enjoyed this book. It is not a fast read - in some ways the pace of the book reflects the pace of life among the characters of the book. This is not a plot-driven book; it is more of a slice of life among some interesting people living fairly isolated lives. 
 The location is a small Southern town in the 1930s, so some of the loneliness conveyed in the book is because of the limitations for interaction with the wider world. But more than that, each of the main characters has something they are going through that gives them a unique experience and view of life. The main characters are John Singer, a man who is deaf and mute, and Mick Kelly, a girl in her young teens, who is going through many changes and trying to figure out who she is and where she fits. 
 Most of the characters are misfits, in that they are not in the mainstream of society. But, what I found interesting is that some of these people would appear to be "normal" or "boring" but the book highlights their inner thoughts and fears and sadness. It's a lovely and quiet book. I'd give it 5/5.