This book epitomizes all the reasons I say Wally Lamb is my favorite writer. He writes books about these big, dark, scary topics, that center around what it means to be a family, how family can hurt and help us, and he just writes about all of it in a way that just totally slays you. The descriptions of his book seem so innocent, the plotlines even seem simple. Then you read it and it's overwhelming and brutal and fabulous.

Warning: This book is very difficult to read. There are graphic descriptions of child sexual abuse and domestic violence, so pass on this one if those things are triggers for you.