It was an Oprah's Book Club pick, so already many have probably read Wally Lamb's 'She's Come Undone'. For those who haven't, though, the short version of the plot follows thusly: Girl has bad childhood. Girl's childhood gets still worst. Girl's childhood hits rock bottom. Girl goes to college. Girl's life further spirals downward. On and on, until its ultimate conclusion, which is uplifting or cloying, depending on your take.

Still, while that probably doesn't sound like the greatest recommendation for the book, it's actually surprisingly absorbing. The pervasive despair is ameliorated somewhat by Lamb's skill as a writer. He creates a credible portrait of a woman for whom everything has gone wrong, and who doesn't have the emotional strength to necessarily rise above her circumstances.

At the end of the day, even his writing might not be enough to save the book. I made it through to the end, but to be honest, at that point, I didn't really care any more what happened to the character- any book's reatest failure.