This book wasn't what I expected – but I guess I didn't really know WHAT to expect. It spans an entire lifetime (two, really), three countries (Ireland, Netherlands, US) and the plot takes some pretty dark turns, but the dialogue was so sharp and witty that despite the themes (unwanted pregnancy, homophobia, AIDS, etc.) it didn't seem like a dark book. In fact, it was rare that I made it through a chapter without laughing at some point. Recommend.