It's difficult writing a negative review of this book. I can tell that Siri Hustvedt's heart is in it and that I must applaud. Unfortunately, it's the more intellectual aspect that takes command. This will, I believe, divorce many potential readers from the book and it's for these people that I post a two star review as a warning.

Too much of this book was a labor for me. I'm no dummy. At least, I don't think I am. I have a BA from San Jose State and did well enough in philosophy. But at my age, I find references to Kierkegard and the many art and culture references distracting and interfering with my emotional response to the novel.