I must start out by saying that it took me over three weeks to get through the first 250 pages of this book - not because it wasn't well written or interesting; but because it took the author that long to effectively build the story. It was good, but it didn't suck me in at first. Be patient, my fellow reader, it will be well worth it. I read the latter 200 pages in two days.

The author is insightful, wise, and intelligent - and makes me want to learn more about both Greek mythology and hi... (show more)

I must start out by saying that it took me over three weeks to get through the first 250 pages of this book - not because it wasn't well written or interesting; but because it took the author that long to effectively build the story. It was good, but it didn't suck me in at first. Be patient, my fellow reader, it will be well worth it. I read the latter 200 pages in two days.

The author is insightful, wise, and intelligent - and makes me want to learn more about both Greek mythology and history. It's amazing how much of "that stuff" he is able to weave through the pages of novel that is set in the 1900s.

He manages to cover three generations of a Greek family that emigrated to the United States, as well as effective scribe the narrator's struggle to find his gender identity in the midst of everything else. Puberty and that awkward phase in life is something to which we can all relate.

Oh, and if any of you attended an all female high school, pay attention to page 327 (Picador paperback edition, (c) 2002; Chapter: Obscure Object). Flawless insights run abound there, with respect to behavior at an all female school.

A fabulous read, I definitely recommend it. (show less)