This overhyped novel was hard to get through, but I plugged away anyway, hoping the rewards were on down the line...they never arrived! The word pretentious comes to mind...surely this is not a commentary on even the most dysfunctional family in America...(?) The trashed-out characters, over-written descriptions of mental machinations (the turds?), and on and on. The only thing I will give this book and J. Franzen, is his awesome ability to use words in a humorous context. Pathetically, one of the funniest scenarios in the book, was his use of contemporary aviation news buzz-words (crash site) to describe Alfred, with Parkinson's, attempting to eat the hor'duerves made by his daughter. In summary, there are too many other fine reading experiences to partake of than to waste your time with this book.