This was the most insane book I have ever read. There was a moment when I paused and said aloud, "I love this book!" But at other times I was bored, incredulous, and/or confused.

Thoroughly readable and often hysterical, the book skates through nearly every problem a person could have over the course of a year-- and many that one really couldn't have.

Other reviews mention the utter incredulity that things like Israeli operatives breed, but my confusion and skepticism came from the smaller things: when Harry's bank cards are cancelled, there are no repercussions; he's back to spending money wildly only a few pages later. His empty car crashes while he's having a stroke, and no mention of repairs, insurance, or cost is made. Again, within a few pages he's driving around once more.

The book seemed to gloss over big events like "here's a funny/strange thing that happens now!" while leaving interesting characters in the dust-- I wanted more George!

My biggest issue, however, was the fact that the apparent unreliability of the narrator went completely unaddressed. After his schizophrenic episode in the bathroom, a number of conversations in which other characters blatantly refute Harry's telling of the story, and several flat out insane comments about his life, I was expecting an ending in which Harry wakes up in a mental hospital, with George as his alter ego and all the other characters fictions of his wild, drugged imagination.

This is how insane this book is. Nevertheless, it held my attention. But I would have to say I was ultimately unfulfilled.

What a wild ride! At times very humorous, a very times a bit over the edge, I still loved every minute- and found myself weeping more than once in its world of human possibility. Major love.

I really loved this book. It's really funny, poignant and by the end you're really rooting for this guy and his family who all start out so dysfunctional but somehow over time open themselves up to a greater understanding of themselves, each other, and what really matters.

This makes it sound serious but it's actually hysterical. A great read and highly recommended!

The first 40 pages of this book are sheer genius. Riveting, amazing writing. Then it just died and wandered for 300 pages with a horrid unbelievable main character. I'm going to skim the last 160 pages and claim it as read.

don't know how to describe this - crazy, depressing, funny, offensive, heartwrenching, ridiculous, totally believable, despicable, lovable, dark

but i really enjoyed it and am so glad i read it

Reading this book was like listening to someone telling a really, REALLY long story... full of extra and unnecessary details... and you start tuning in and out... and keep wondering, "This is still going on? Why am I still here? When will this end?"
I mean, this story is very read-able, although in a totally monotone, apathetic way.
Honestly? I got up to page 369, and then thought, "If this book had ended 194 pages ago, I may have enjoyed it."

Strange and great

I loved it, quite absurd, dark and satirical, which raised interesting questions on family, sanity and modern life. Definitely want to read more by her.

I loved this book! It starts out with one terrible, tragic situation after another - and you really don't like any of the main characters. George is a bully. Harry is a bore. Jane is too mean and mild. But keep reading. This is a story of growth. Harry learns how to connect to others - something he is surprisingly good at. Although some of the situations are quite outlandish, Homes makes it believable.