First of all, I simply loved this book for telling a great story without using bad language or gratuitous sex scenes. I knew it could be done! Second, Anne Tyler is a great writer. She's economic in her language, but paints vivid scenes and really makes her characters feel real. Speaking of characters, this book was a fascinating look at how two otherwise good people can really bring out the worst in each other. The POV changed with each chapter, and I LOVED getting to see different sides of the conflict, even the children's. Despite the sound of it, this book wasn't a downer, as I'd feared. It was true to life, with hapiness and disappointment. Plus, it helped me see that even if you aren't a perfect match, kindness, understanding, and forgiveness go a long way in making a marriage happy.