Being a human and experiencing firsts (first skinned knee, first disappointment in a trusted adult) can be lonely and confusing. Bertino's Beautyland tells the story of Adina, an alien born in human form at the exact moment that the Voyager 1 is launched into space on September 5, 1977 carrying the famous golden record. Through Adina we experience a child trying to making sense of the messes humankind has made on planet Earth and her candid unbiased reports of life are delightful. As in her previous books, Bertino's lyrical prose and beautiful interpretations of what might be mundane are stunning. Whether explaining all the subtle indicators of class or exploring the institutions responsible for blaming Yoko for breaking up the Beatles, reading Adina's fax missives to her supervisors on her planet make you feel as though you are discovering earthling secrets. Human beings are messy and take themselves so seriously. Beautyland will remind you of what is important in life.