As interesting as it sounds, The New York Times doesn't seem to think that Canin's effort is worth it, saying the novel is "an awkward and implausible denouement that sadly stands as a kind of metaphor for everything that’s wrong with this ambitious but poorly assembled novel." Could this denouement of a novel then stand for the denouement of American culture, since its attempts at connecting plot to higher themes of American society fail so badly? Who knows. I, for one, look forward to reading this book.

Rounding out the top of the bestseller lists this week is the new thriller Last Oracle by James Rollins and Tailspin (FBI Series #12) by Catherine Coulter. Danielle Steele also has a new novel out this week called Rogue, which promises to have all of the redeeming qualities of a romance novel turned moralist escapade.

Here are some more books out this week that are worth your perusing:

Brida by Paulo Coehlo
The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #2) by Michael Scott
Moscow Rules by Daniel Silva
The Coffin Club (Vampire Kisses #5) by Ellen Schreiber
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched (Queen of Babble Series #3) by Meg Cabot
The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu
Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson
Hit and Run by Lawrence Block
Havemercy by Danielle Bennett