That Old Cape Magic conspiratorially/confessionally-toned, psychologically-focused and very low-on-dialogue in an Ishiguro way, and mercilessly "insightful" about his characters' internal lives sim.'ly to Franzen but even more cynical (esp about the women as usual), without RR's usual leavening affection for even his favorites among them. Very well-done stuff and I don't (yet) see why reviews are so mixed, but its sourness and seething savagery are not exactly the first thing I need right now or maybe ever really. Maybe need to give it a break for a bit.