This book brought me to my literary knees. Tender, smart, funny, thoughtful, suspenseful, and insightful, I couldn't put it down. And when I was forced to, I spent a lot of time thinking about it. In this day and age when writers like Jonathan Franzen are lauded for presenting women as one-dimensional sex objects or mentally unstable, it's lovely (and a relief) to see a portrayal of women that is kind and complex. All of the women have flaws, but they're also intelligent and compassionate and working earnestly to be true to themselves as well as to those around them. And Henkin refrains from judging them. He simply lets them be who they are. While the premise of the story is sad, the journey this family takes together is quite beautiful. The final paragraph of the book was particularly moving––elegant and quiet and hopeful. I was sad to part ways with these characters. And the prose itself is just gorgeous. This man can turn a phrase! Overall a truly wonderful book.