This novel is actually a series of vignettes, which keeps the characters at arm's length. Some of the vignettes are narrated by the main character, while some are third-person narrated. Both of these things give the novel a disjointed feel. It's also one of those realistic novels that's full of sorrow. It's one piece of bad news after another and characters can't catch a break. 

 A day after finishing it, I'm still wondering if I liked it. I liked it enough to want to know how things were going to turn out for the main character but not enough to reread it or give it a space on my shelf, I think.