this novel felt a little unbalanced; i think the first act took up a little more breathing space than warranted. i wonder if i would have preferred a more non-linear approach? that being said, perhaps that would have obscured the action of the book too much. there's plenty to keep track of already, even in its (relatively) linear state.

this is a dense and really fulfilling read. wright's voice, so strong and rich and immediately identifiable— thinking of those 'Well!'s and her prominent use of words like 'stuff' and 'things' — twists masterfully between conversational and elevated. the characters are sharply drawn and unique and she does names just so fantastically! the third act of this book was where i really, really started enjoying myself. i loved the shift into a sprawling landscape and the way wright really expertly renders different ideas of 'ceremony' and how these play into narratives of dominance.

insert here all the stuff everyone says about wright too: incisive and witty and surprising etc. it's true! nuanced and damning and such an interesting choice of focal point, the observant and distant oblivia. and can't review this book without mentioning that killer first line. truly an all-timer.