I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book because I haven't had the chance to read Haddon yet (I think I have a copy of "The Curious Incident" somewhere on my shelves), but the book was getting a lot of buzz at Midwinter, so I figured I'd give it a shot. It's a relatively simple story - a brother invites his estranged sister and her family on holiday and the novel explores each character over the week that they spend together. It's a pretty insular, thoughtful novel - not terribly much actually happens, but big changes are occurring withint the characters. I liked the way the story is told - separated into sections by days and then short paragraphs that focus on one character at a time. It is, overall, a story about people struggling with their own thoughts and feelings and learning how to be themselves. There is no real sense of closure at the end of the novel, which felt a bit disappointing. Ultimately, I wasn't blown away by the book, but it is a quiet book that I did enjoy reading.

Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.