I don't want to include spoilers here, but the reason I gave 2 stars is:

(1) I'm not sure I've ever read a book more desperately in need of an editor. This easily could have been cut down to 400 pages by removing pointless tangents and repetitions of similar plot points. Do we really need a detailed account of two characters going to the farmers' market and then making dinner, when nothing happens to move the plot forward? Especially when it's the 3rd or 4th appearance of a similar scene?

(2) Although one review (The New Yorker?) that I read claimed "this isn't misery porn," I would heartily disagree. If you want to read a tale of horrifying child abuse, I think "Ruby" by Cynthia Bond is another recent novel that does a better job of addressing this topic. But maybe the question is, "Do you really want to read a tale of horrifying child abuse at all?" I'm not averse to books that are "downers" if they are well-written and thought-provoking, but it seems like this novel was way too heavy on the former without enough of the latter.

I appreciate that this novel subverts some of the common literary tropes of elevation and redemption through suffering (what I think of as the "Tiny Tim" cliche, because Tiny Tim had to prove himself worthy of being saved/rewarded through his suffering), but that's just not enough to get you through 700+ pages.

A few positives: It made me think about why we want to save our loved ones, and what our motivations are; I thought the character of J.B. provided an interesting counterpoint to the other characters; the plot kept me turning the pages; I think Jude's history was revealed artfully by the author. The writing itself was lovely. None of this are enough to make me recommend the book to others.