Technically proficient. The writing is crisp and clear and observant, and that writing on its own would I think deserve a higher rating than I've given the book as a whole. I'd certainly be interested in giving Mandel another go (I've heard fabulous things about "Station Eleven").

It's just this book... I'm sorry, but I simply couldn't get into it. Honestly I thought it was pretty dull. I didn't connect emotionally to any of the characters, and I saw the "surprise" towards the end a mile away. Competent writing doesn't make up for that.