Honestly, probably my favourite book ever, but that is not something I would have said 200 pages in, not having a clue who was who or what was going on...but that's when the Joseph O'Connor magic happens. If you are going to read this (which you definitely should), view the first half as the author presenting you with all the pieces, a sort of 'here are the characters you will be reading about' idea. It is only in the second half that O'Connor subtly starts to put those pieces together, bit by bit, until every hair on your body is on end and you find yourself saying, as I did, 'No I'm not going to explore this rustic Italian village we have come to on holiday, I have a book to finish!' The real brilliance of course comes in the way O'Connor presents the story. He doesn't bother with such gimmicks as a straight first or third person narrative, he doesn't need such trivial things as a chronological progression. One chapter could be a transcript from a speech or recording, the next will be a diary entry, the next a poem, the one after that a newspaper article...all sharing a common theme that is weaved together expertly in the final chapters. If I was to make one criticism it would be that the first half of the book is so confusing - I've recommended this to friends who read the first quarter or so and just get so lost they can't continue. Do not make this mistake! You will not be dissapointed. Good things come to those who wait. I'll end how I started - My Favourite Book Ever, so read it! Read it now!