I loved the beginning of this book so much I wanted to hug it. I can understand readers being put off by the third person narrator’s highly conversational tone, but it worked for me. Maria is witty and thoughtful and I luxuriated in her many (mostly internal) monologues about herself, gender, social norms, feminist theory, etc. About halfway through this novel took a turn I was not expecting and I had to renegotiate my footing. It did not end close to how I expected it might, and I’m wondering at my reaction to its conclusion. This isn’t meant as a detraction, this is just the part of the story that I’m reacting to with less straightforward adoration. There is a lot going on, and I’m so glad to have this book rattling around in my head now.