RaveThe Kansas City StarMost of the novel takes place in a bleak vision of Michigan, but despite the constant state of loss, cynicism, drug abuse and violence, Means really gets to evidence his talent for description. Even when evoking tedium, Means does so elegantly ... The novel tackles broad subjects; even if such issues cannot ever be fully resolved, it does not fall into pretentiousness. It is simultaneously heartbreaking, bitingly funny, realistic and satirical; the hoops it asks readers to jump through regarding structure and authorial intent are a joy, not a burden. It successfully finds a fresh approach to war fiction.
