Engrossing storytelling in a richly imagined retro setting : from an LSD-laced hippie cult ensconced on a rural farm to a rag-tag group of street performers surviving on the streets of New York City, Cram conjures the counter-cultural edges of the 1970s in colorful detail. Punchy, irreverent writing: Elizabeth’s voice as the narrator is full of personality and quick to banish any pity from the reader, despite the hardships she experiences. Cram masterfully blends heartbreak and humor throughout the novel. Gritty and nuanced portrayal of mental illness : Cram portrays Margaret’s severe mental instability with thoughtfulness and compassion but also writes unflinchingly about Margaret’s neglectful behavior and Elizabeth’s resulting struggles. Chapters from the adult Elizabeth’s perspective in recovery at a halfway house add even more depth.
