How many ways are there to die or be maimed horribly? Lots, apparently, and this book has a good selection. Having your hands sliced off during somebody else's sexual climax, for example.

This is gruesome stuff.

But enthralling. The exploration of America during the Twentieth Century, through the eyes and music of immigrants in family context, is fantastic in its detail, its pungency, its suspense.

Who will get the green accordion next? What adventures will it and they have during their passage towards the grave? Where will it go?

I enjoyed every page of this book, as the green accordion travels from Sicily to America and ricochets about the country, steadily getting shabbier until, well, you'll have to find out for yourself.

At every turn there is some fascinating vignette. Violence, sex, food, alcohol and (of course) music feature heavily. This is life. This is America. This is fiction as it should be, full of character, full of flavour.

Another jewel from Coffeebron's treasure box. Thanks, Bron!

Picked up at King O'Malleys today - Canberra bookcrossers monthly meet-up.

To be released during the Melbourne Convention release walk in the CBD.