欧宝娱乐

Fiction. This is the story of Bobby and Jonathan -- best friends, almost brothers, almost in love -- how they grow up together, how they grow apart, how they meet Clare, and how they all try to make a home together. It sounds cozy -- I love self-made families -- but this is an exceedingly lonely book. No one's able to make any lasting connections and everyone's alone in one way or another. It's sad, but written so well. Cunningham has an easy way with language; his prose is simple and honest, with wonderful spots of color and noise: If Bobby moved with the methodical, slightly bovine will of a vacuum cleaner, sucking up each errand and task, Jonathan clattered along like an eggbeater. That's Clare speaking -- several characters take turns narrating -- and you can sense her resentment even through the humor. Cunningham's prose is delightful, but cutting. As is this book.

Three stars for affecting, sympathetic characters and Cunningham's effortlessly interesting prose.