I'll start by saying sections of the book, particularly those describing the narrator Martha's family and her first bad marriage are both dark and stunningly funny. But the darkness only grows heavier even as the humor dissipates. Martha grows from being a preoccupied, dissatisfied child into a relentlessly nasty, sullen adult who can neither stop complaining nor criticizing. She is indulgent, completely absorbed in herself, and quickly becomes a massive bore, burdening people around her and grating on the reader. My sympathies went to Martha's sister, father and second husband Patrick, who put up with her constantly, despite their own share of burdens. Early into the novel, you just want to start yelling, enough, Martha!

If you're desperate for laughs, read the first half, until (spoiler alert) Martha becomes totally fed up with Patrick, then just hand the book over to someone, or do whatever you do with reads you don't particularly like or want to digest. Recommended only if you too want to rip open old family wounds and throw yourself into therapy or into a river.