Thank heavens for the recognition of Peter Cameron as a major novelist. Has this taken over 20 years? This wonderful book, Leap Year, is a snapshot of the late 80's, most definitely rooted in that time. Books set in NY hold a special appeal -- with the limitless combination of personalities, how they intersect and ensnarl. The City acts not so much as a backdrop as a character. Each character is vibrantly brought to life, with snatches of laugh out loud humor. ("[She:] knew better than to fall apart on the street. Only common people fell apart on the street. She would do it in Bonwit's.")

Lorrie Moore, in a recent interview in San Francisco, referred to Cameron while discussing her "day job" as a reviewer. She was musing over the fact that Cameron was considered a "niche" author, which surprised her. Nowadays the inclusion of mixed races and sexual orientations are taken for granted in pop culture. And thank heavens it has finally arrived.