It has been a long time since I've read a book that made me hungry for the next word, whose 400 pages (or so) flew by in an instant, and that after finishing it, I could scarcely breathe and think about anything else for the next few hours. Even the day after, I find my mind drifting to the complex plot, the inscrutable and complicated characters and mulling over the series of events, to see if there could have been any other way the story could have ended, or even begun. I decided that no, the ending was as perfect as the beginning and the middle. It came out of nowhere and slapped you across the face with exquisite timing and impeccable, seamless diction. Every instant of the story was wrapped up in the end, but still lent a little mystery to the characters, still leaving you to think afterwards.

My only critique is the relationship between Marlow and Mary - should there have been romance? Is it ethical, considering that Mary recently broke up with Robert Oliver, Marlow's patient? Or is this not a case of sloppy plotting, but shrewd planning to bind each of the characters to each other and weave them in the fabric of the story? I do not know.

I highly recommend to anyone who loves art, psychology and family. Especially to anyone who loves beautifully written books and who is looking for something to catch their eye and make them think afterwards.