As the second book by John Irving that I have ever read (The first being A Prayer for Owen Meany), I must say that I was sufficiently kept surprised by the plot twists and characteristics of the narrator. While I had realized at the beginning of the text that the protagonist would be a bisexual man, I had no idea how in-depth the plot would go with details of sexuality and a crystal-clear insight into the difficulties of homosexuality and bisexuality in the United States from the sixties until the present.

Addressing overall problems in acceptance of those "different" than the mainstream while maintaining a close relationshipo between the reader and the characters of a novel can be a significant challenge for any writer - a challenge which John Irving pulls off with finesse.

If your interests lie in homosexuality, bisexuality, or the realities of coming out as yourself and learning about what that means throughout your life, this book is a must-read.