What works well as a short story is mind-numbing as a novel. All schtick. Having one of the lead characters translate all his writing into broken English with a dictionary grates after a humorous start. The flashbacks about people with insane names grates too. I fought to finish this book. I lost the battle. A literary hoax with raves from friends and teachers of the author. This is Dale Peck's (the best first novel he ever held) and Joyce Carol Oates' lowest moment.