Brilliant. I laughed, I cried. I was entertained, I was educated. I got angry (but I am so grateful not to be living under the US health system). A bloody depressing book but brilliant nonetheless. The characters were so real I kept having that eery "do I know you" feeling that you get when you see someone off TV but can't quite place how you "know" them. Lionel Shriver is a fabulous author who has a real gift with words. I am sorry to have finished it and to have to say goodbye to Shep. What a great guy. We all need a Shep in our lives.

I can't claim honestly to have enjoyed this book. The subject matter was far too painful for that. But it was a book I didn't want to put down. But when I did, it certainly made me grateful for all that I have, especially my health.