The bleak world of Davey and his family is presented harshly in this novel. Although the presentation of various bad behaviors of the characters is often matter-of-fact, the negative consequences of their behavior are almost always evident, and clearly the reader is meant to have a judgmental response.

Though readers will derive some understanding of why certain characters behave as they do—adult responsibilities were foisted upon Joanne, for instance, long before she was capable of handling them—it is difficult to be fully sympathetic with the people in this story. It is possible to break cycles of substance use, child abuse, and parental neglect; examples abound in history as well as in the contemporary media, so it is frustrating—though realistic—to read about the kind of family that makes no attempt to break these cycles.

Davey's mental handicap is well...