If you like your books to have a plethora of characters, and many plot lines, this is the book for you. If you want characters that are fleshed out and relatable, this is not the book for you. So many issues dabbled with; immigrant, Jew, Black, mental illness, murder, love affairs, Barack Obama. Home for the Incurables? Botswana? Where was the editor? This was a struggle to get through.

The Barrrowfields had moments of sheer delight. The old mansion was a character in the book and captured the feel of gothic novels. There were moments of good humor. The early years of the son and father's relationship reminded me of Norman Rockwell days. But the writing was not consistant, and perhaps tried to take on too many subjects. Enjoyable but frustrating as well.