While I am completely taken with Conroys use of language, I am concerned that some readers think this is the best book American literature has to offer. Try some Hemingway and Fitzgerald for comparison. Conroy has a magical gift for metaphors and 'turning a phrase', but characters that seem critical drop out for years (and pages) only to reappear magically a few chapters later. The plot was very complex and dramatic. But the turning points and character motivations were not always clear. The dialog was excellent. The setting of the scene was descriptive and colorful. Overall I think the book is somewhat uneven. Mr. Conroy might consider working with a very strict, but sympathetic, editor