A crisp and disturbing master class in American realism.

Difficult, because each and every character is portrayed with an unstinting lack of compassion.

Plausible and instructive, but born out of bitterness and depression.
In this case, the liquor glass is not half-empty, it is full: of vanity, hypocrisy and minor self-deceptions that annoyingly gnaw away the human spirit until only hollow men are left.

It’s not going to make you feel warm and fuzzy, unless you drink a lot while you read it.

Sharp, brittle, bloodless, and as beautiful as china. And highly recommended.