This book is in the tradition of Muriel Sparks or Barbara Pym. It tells the story of Ruth Weiss, a woman who spends most of her time reading Balzac and doing research on his novels. Ruth tries to make her own way in life but often fails having to return home to help her ageing and ill parents. Only in the very end she embarks on making a new start in life. The novel is an easy read and I liked how it ended and how Ruth distances herself from Eugenie Grandet, her favourite character. However, I found the wide cast of characters rathing disturbing and I would have preferred the narrative to focus more on Ruth and not so much on the other characters.