This was an eyeopener for how good writing can be. I could go on and on about how unlikeable the characters are (not a bad thing) but Ng's prowess was abundantly apparent in how seamlessly she can create and then deep-dive into a character's past while describing an event in the present while also segueing into the inner thoughts of a separate character. I was going to give a lesser rating because of how much I disliked Marilyn & James but realized that that was the point. Also, it's been awhile since I closed a book at the end of a chapter (the 2nd chapter- blew my mind) because I needed a break to properly absorb the stellar chunk I'd just read.

Ng- you rock.