Ugh, love/hate relationship with this one... I read it for an English course in college where all of the required novels were Pulitzer Prize winners from the 90s. Again, I had a sadistic teacher who put together a list of the most depressing books to win in the 90s: The Hours, Mambo Kings, Rabbit at Rest, etc. Granted most of the winners in the 90s were works oozing depressive themes, he still could have inserted a more uplifting selection in there.

So basically this book was uber depressing when teamed up with all of the others. So I hated this book. I still think I hate it, but I really appreciate what she was trying to do (and did) with the novel. But it still depresses me. So I gave it 2 stars instead of 1.

So within that context, you may find you love this book. But really the way she wrote it makes it tedious to read, although I think that's the whole point as it's an account of the life of a common, ordinary woman.

Actually I really should have liked this book. I love books seeped in existential themes. But all I can remember is how hard this book blew.