My friend Steve asked me a few weeks ago if I ever read something just because the writing’s good. I can’t remember what exactly we were arguing about (and we were arguing because that’s all we ever do), but I remember my answer was an exasperated, “Duh, yes I do.” Of course I couldn’t think of a single example of anything I had read just because the writing was good.

Well, Steve, here’s your answer: The Ask by Sam Lipsyte. So there! If it weren’t for the strength of Lipsyte’s writing I’d have invoked the 100-page rule and closed the cover on this one for good.

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