The lively, authentic description of poor small-town country life drew me into this novel immediately, ala Larry McMurtry-style, and I enjoyed the slice-of-life keen observations and philosophical ponderings of the characters who longed for significance and finally found it by embracing their own insignificance. The contrived, amateurish cover art didn't help me categorize the book as anything grand, but Gingher was a fun writer who can create complete and compelling characters. But the novel seemed over-ambitious and dragged on, and I didn't enjoy the five-years-later conclusion that was underwhelming. The time setting is not one that most readers will easily identify with, but the premise was intriguing and I see potential for a TV serial. This novel would make a dynamite short story. ( )