I think of O'Hara as a sort of fancy _Peyton Place_ writer - don't get me wrong, that doesn't automatically put him down. However, he was a bit of social climber himself and one can see it in his work. About a very driven family - driven to succeed (of course). I like this book, but have not felt motivated to read too much else by him though I'm tempted to try _Appointment in Samarra_. ( )