Helpful Score: 3
This is one of my top 3 most memorable books ever read. Visual imagery, atmosphere, overall sense of place and character and dialogue is impeccable. I feel richer for having read this book. It has become part of my psyche - The numbers of people living so carefully frugal but still acknowledging the need for that occasional precious taste of sweetened ice has really stuck with me. The interplay between the extended families and how they managed to find room for one more body is graceful. I can't recommend it strongly enough.
