So Much for That

So Much for That (2010) by Lionel Shriver. This book has a large but manageable cast of characters. A fair number of them are afflicted in one way or another. The cast is headed up by Shep and Glynis; early on, Glynis finds out she has mesothelioma, the rare, asbestos-related cancer. Then there are Jackson and Carol, whose daughter Flicka has a rare (and always fatal) disorder called familial dysautonomia (FD for short). Jackson, for reasons that are scarcely comprehensible, decides to have penis-enlargement surgery; needless to say, it goes horribly wrong. Shriver's writing in this novel is no less than brilliant, capturing perfectly the distinct voices of the various characters. The plot is compelling, yet I was somewhat disappointed in the ending, which seemed a bit pat. I did get into the book, though. Grade: A-