3 stars

This is a character and setting driven book that uses descriptive prose to paint some obvious metaphors. I didn't find a lot very believable, or likable with some descriptions of dead animals; but it is well written. If you like quiet literary fiction about the suburbs and lonely people, I imagine you will love this book. For me, I needed a little more "showing" than just telling us things. Gil is supposed to be not good in social situations, but he constantly is interacting with people and having the right sage advice and fitting in sort of fine. I like my lit fic to be a little less heavy handed, but I know many people who will appreciate the clear concepts.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Pros: This is the second book I’ve read by the author (the other being A Children’s Bible), and her books are unique and efficient. I appreciate that her books never remind me of books by other authors and often feature nature (birds are a theme throughout Dinosaurs). This book has a strong sense of place—both in NYC and in Arizona.

I read this book on audio and ebook and think both formats work well.

Cons: This is not a con because I believe that not every book is for every reader, but although I see the craft and merit in this book, it was not for me. I think readers of character-driven literary fiction will enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this book.

3.5 stars

Lydia Millet writes about the connection between humans and nature in a way that is unlike any other author I have ever read.

In this newest book by Millet, and perhaps my favorite by her, she revisits similar themes as A Children's Bible, but there is a quiet beauty to the writing of this book that left me in awe while reading it. The book brings together a lonely man and a family when they become neighbors in a unique housing situation. Millet forces the reader to ask questions about our own existence on this planet and what makes a person worthy of survival.

I loved the lyrical writing and the relationships between the characters. This was such a wonderful journey and I am already looking forward to reading it again.

This just felt . . . meandering. I started it, got about a third of the way in, and just didn't feel motivated to continue reading for any reason.

Living in Arizona, the depiction of live in the desert was spot on, almost... uncanny at times. This novel explores our relationships with ourselves, the harsh nature around us, and what keeps us together in the end.