This is a beautifully written and deeply researched book which is a story of a young married couple on a trip through the American Southwest. It is filled with disturbing details of what we are doing to our planet and the wrongs we Americans have done to our Native Americans by depriving them of water. It describes the fallout of raging fires in the West and the depletion of Lake Powell and rivers. That said, I must admit that hated reading this book and wanted to get to the end. But lease don't let my feelings keep you from reading this important literary novel.

Elli is married to Lewis, who is still grieving the recent death of his mother. They live in Brooklyn and have rented a car so that Lewis can check on an artist completing an unusual piece of art for his dead lover and to report its progress to the foundation for which Lewis works. But that's just the background. Ellie is an Australian with a Green Card who is studying for an advanced degree at Columbia. She also suspects she may be pregnant. Lewis is behaving erratically and smoking lots of dope. Ellie is well read and educates us about such diverse topics as poetry, history, the environment, Las Vegas and southwestern food. It's a road trip where you will feel every mile traveled and every Airbnb and seedy motel.

You may find it interesting (or not) that Madeleine Watts has compiled a thorough and very long bibliography. I simply found it overwhelming, as i did the novel. Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Net Galley for an ARC copy of this book.

When I saw this cover, I couldn't let go. After reading it, I think it's perfect because it made me feel the same: both the artwork and the story. It's hard to review without giving spoilers because repeating the blurb doesn't express how much this book sneaked on me and I related to it, making me want to hug the main character and narrator who most of the time nullifies herself on behalf of others sometimes for self-doubt, sometimes bearing incredible loneliness and pain on her own surrounded by selfish and egoic people.
I couldn't put it down, which made for a very relaxed but sad read, perfect for a rainy weekend. Grief, loss, many levels of abandoned relationships, environment, fascination for catastrophe and darkness, dealing with death. Great list of references to all art and books mentioned in the book.

Lots to unpack after reading this novel. I think I'd have to give it another try at a later point to fully grasp all that Watts was trying to create. I most liked the exploration of the couple's relationship throughout. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.