You know what, I get it. There's a lot to love and respect about this book. I just don't quite understand the hype it's been getting. I could go on and on in echoing the praises this has received: all the characters are so well developed in such a short period of time, there is a palpable humanity to the story and the themes it explores, every detail feels incredibly intentional, the writing is immersive and beautiful, et cetera. And yet, I am left wondering if I missed anything that would have guaranteed an emotional oomph to my reading experience. I am left thinking, "so was there a point to all this?" but perhaps that is the very point this book tries to make: there is hardly a point or purpose to life, it is just there to be experienced with all of its beauty and ugliness. And that there is much to marvel about how we are all interconnected through ties of blood, friendship, and love even with all of their failings. (I'm just rambling at this point.) I guess it's a good thing I'll be moderating a book club discussion for this; I think it's a book well worth discussing.