The realistic aspects left me wanting more info. But then there were plenty of Fictional things that had me grumbling. Why is Alice so beautiful? What do you mean bedsores that are then never mentioned again in the recovery process? What is up with the two invalid-molesting boyfriends?
I've loved her other novels that I've read.
Blurbed by Updike, pretty snazzy for a first novel.
( )

Funny, but also provocative, even a little bit philosophical. Interesting side characters, but we didn't get to know them even as well as Alice did, which wasn't very. So, maybe not the best piece of literature, but I enjoyed it, more than I thought I would.

But then, I did spend a month in a rehab clinic and so I could empathize with the main character a little bit. In fact, I might have enjoyed reading this back then.

Otoh, I totally respect the feelings of the people who thought this a waste of time. If you're at all intrigued, you really have to judge for yourself. And if you're in the mood for something original, something you've never read before, you should consider this. However, if you already have a large TBR pile, skip it. ( )