Was slow at times. Lots of descriptive reading. Gives some insight to that type of lifestyle of keeping up with the neighbours at all costs. Although I do not understand that being more important than the well being of your family. However our bookclub had a good discussion.

Tobar has written a social satire that examines the division and lack of understanding between two interdependent groups – the affluent suburbanites living in their gated communities versus the nearly invisible cadre of workers, mostly immigrants, many undocumented, who work to maintain the façade of perfection. The three main characters are all flawed, but each has his/her virtues as well. Tobar did get a bit preachy in the last third of the book, as he railed against the media, the injustices of the American legal system, and knee-jerk reactions of the politicians and populace. I liked that the story didn’t have a tidy resolution; the ending is realistic while being hopeful.