ugh. it took me FOREVER to finish this book. about five months, actually. I started it last fall, but had a hard time getting into it and would put it aside for more interesting books (The Help, the Hunger Games Trilogy). I don't know why I didn't just ditch it - probably because I bought the book and I feel like if I paid for it, I damn well better finish it. but for the first 200 pages I just didn't like it. I hated the main character, Nicholas, and didn't particularly like his wife, Etna either. but I hung on to see if she would end up doing anything worthwhile. well, she almost did.

I did like the writing style, and have always liked Anita Shreve (probably why I bought the book instead of getting it at the library). I will still go on to read more of her books, even though this one left a bad taste in my mouth.