So, this book is one I think I'd usually roll my eyes at a little-a book about amoral writers having affairs, which smells of cis-male wish fulfillment. And yet, I really enjoyed it.

First off, the novel is very aware of what it's doing, and while it doesn't apologize for it, it also sidesteps fantasy and feel like it lands soberly in the land of reality meets cautionary tale. That combined with the sharp, clean, somehow indulgent and simultaneously restrained prose made this a fun read.

It definitely takes an awareness of a certain type of world to appreciate the human beings that this novel is speaking for, and for that reason, I probably wouldn't recommend it to most people. But, going in with low expectations, it evoked a real emotional response from me that I hadn't realized I hadn't felt from a book for a while. My heart broke a little bit for all of these characters by the end.

And I want a sequel all about Julia.