I've had this book for ages but have avoided reading it because of this blurb on the backcover: "His boldest and most ambitious experiment with fiction since The Bridge". And, dear reader, I did not like The Bridge very much.

Once again my prejudice has been shown to be unfounded, as this book is as straightforward as they come. It begins at the beginning, proceeds through the middle, and ends at the end, everything slotting in very neatly.

I like the book, but I can't escape a certain feeling of it not being as "important" as some of his other books. Some of it no doubt has to do with the book's length; there's just not that much space for stuff to happen. Also, the main character is quite passive, which is never good.