A first-person narrative from the POV of an absolute bore who is so self involved that he eventually absorbs his wife and son, who admittedly were barely more than metaphors to allow him to talk about himself anyway. Which might have worked as a horror story, but unfortunately I this is supposed to be a moving and thoughtful tale of parenthood and environmental issues.

Still, it managed to get on the Booker Long and Short lists before it was even published, so it clearly has someone powerful on it’s side. I expect to see it undeservedly win, but hopefully I will be proved wrong.