The Julia Glass Experience

I'm sure it's wrong of me to be so brief, but I've just finished The Whole World Over by Julia Glass and offer this paltry review. The book is:

Keenly, minutely observed. Exquisitely written. Each sentence fresh, each metaphor new and perfect. Stories interwoven naturally, not cleverly. No seams showing. Yet: I didn't care, I cared, I cared, I cared, I cared, I didn't care, I wanted it to be over. And: some character names not only didn't fit, but annoyed me every time I saw them. Nevertheless, if you're a reader, read it, if only for the assured and beautiful writing and crafting.

I read Glass's Three Junes years ago and both enjoyed and admired it, yet today I remember nothing about it. I read a synopsis online and thought, 'Really?' How could I have feasted for days at a banquet that size and not remember a single thing I ate?

Whereas I suspect I'll savor Olive Kitteridge, this year's favorite read, forever.