introduce the subject. Thank you, all, for your well-considered analysis and honest reactions. I was perplexed by the reviews I was reading about "all the pieces come together in a final twist ending". Barnes' work is not like a mystery in that sense. All the pieces do not fall into place here- as in life. Wonderful review, however. This book has been on my list to read and now I'm chomping at the bit. I love that you included quotes. In them, I hear Adrian's voice and it's wonderful. An exquisite voice is, for me, a factor that separates the great from the good. I'm just half way through this one, so things could change (they won't), but I'm thrilled this won. The sentences -- he is by far the best writer on the shortlist, twisting a thought around and then snipping it or blowing it up in a turn of phrase. And I'm finding the story itself fantastic. I found it almost impossible to read (to the end) because I kept going to the start to read some of the excellent passages. In the end (no puns intended), it was the longest 150 pages I have ever read and in all honesty, even after the self-enforced third reading, I am still confused with the mystery at the heart of the puzzle. I am taking a break from it and will probably pick it up again soon, when I am in the right frame of mind to immerse myself in