Reading my first Patchett reminds me of reading John Irving: I'm compelled by the story and characters but not sure what to take away when I finish. It's confusing to keep the characters straight and the narrative is blissfully unaware of any cultural debates. White hetero men, the women who love them, and their kids are the undoubted norm. Cops abound without a hint of ambiguity. Maybe I'd need siblings to understand the story more fully.