A superb book. It's an incredibly moving study of grief. At the same time, there's a good yarn and consideration of the bigger questions such as the meaning of life, the soul and man v. machine. There are some fabulous characters explored and an exquisite use of a tale within a tale with a tale. At times the book resembles a nest of Russian dolls! It's also thoroughly enjoyable and a complete page turner. I haven't enjoyed a Carey book so much since "The True History of the Kelly Gang".