This definitely comes across as a contemplative classic. Reading it has the vibe of sitting alone by a lake and pondering life while you watch sunlight glimmer off the water as the surface ripples with the breeze. Very old-school American novel.

The portrayal of a poorly matched marriage is tough to read, I felt bad for both sides - and I felt still worse about how

their daughter becomes a human staging ground for Edith's aggressions against Stoner. Another glaring point is how clear it is that communications about intimacy, discomfort, and consent are important in creating healthy relationships, Edith and Stoner just do not have that at all and it's not great.

I have to give stars for how uncomfortable the prose made me feel at times, that's not easy to accomplish with me.

Also Hollis Lomax sucks.