[An] exuberant character study ... Conklin excels at serving up characters whose questionable choices get them in trouble, and Joan tops them all ... Conklin is also a comics artist...and they bring a touch of the cartoonish to their storytelling without losing dimension. Their prose is funny, sly, frank; it bubbles over with mirth.
A page-turner that’s also a sharp, often haunting character study and a deep meditation on the nature of the relationship between artist and art ... Proves that Conklin is just getting started, and anyone interested in the artistic experience should be seeking their work out.
eaders’ reactions to the abundant pee talk will vary, but it’s difficult to assess this book without mentioning it. A disappointing work from a talented author.
Ebullient ... Conklin’s comedy of manners has a shrewd undercurrent, and much of the novel’s charm derives from the teens’ easy banter with one another, which helps Joan work through her hang-ups. It’s a winner.
