A remarkably clever novel completely deserving of all its accolades! As the pieces of the puzzle come together through the multi character narratives, you find yourself hit with plot twist after plot twist, and you are never disappointed. Witty, yet deadly serious at the same time, this puzzle of a book works its way up to an explosive finale for, I suspect, many years. A five star read.

I think this can only be described as a Tour de Force. A chunky read, certainly, but so worthwhile. At its centre is a story of an Irish family slowly disintegrating as the two children approach milestones in their lives. Cass is heading to Dublin to university whilst PJ is slightly lost in that in-between age of pre-teen angst. The seemingly picture perfect marriage of parents Dickie and Imelda starts to head off the rails. Or was it ever on the right track? This book manages to guide you through all the emotions of one minute loathing most of the characters and the next cheering them on. The characters are so believable and shown with such sensitivity. I love a book where nothing is too neat and tidy and this fits the bill perfectly. I loved it.

I did not enjoy the first quarter of the book - the characters annoyed me at first - when I got to see them in the now. Why couldn't they just TELL the truth? But then, as their back stories were revealed, I began to understand them and so came to have sympathy for them. I'm a completest and glad I persevered. The last half, I read in three days. I really love the way the author creates the layer of stories and the different narrative voices are convincing.

Paul Murray is able to capture each of the characters so well. Thrilling read as each character has their own secrets. Reminiscent of a Shakespearean tragedy. Some parts could have been slightly pacier

Paul Murray is a wordsmith and has a subtle and powerful magic in how he concocts the most flawed, frustrating, bewildering and yet utterly wonderful characters. He gives them humanity and makes them feel so very real. The prose is perceptive, lyrical and has a glimmer of humour which balances out the more tragic moments of the story. As a slow reader I was shocked how quickly I read this book, which is a brick at 700 pages. A true testament to the power of writer in keeping a reader's heart right to the end. And then making them wish the book was longer! A comedy and a tragic family saga all in one! And definitely something I will reread in the future.