Meh, Pip's love life was missable, but there are giggles to be had elsewhere, I think - and, as you say, those gorgeous moments of incisive description.

I totally recommend Fishboy; be interested to know what you think if you can track it down. I love to write with that kind of textural element of words, and I love to read it - especially, as with that book, where it's something that actually gives you a flavour of culture, region etc. - but I recognise it does put some readers off. I think it's probably a matter of taste, and possibly the mood it catches people in, but... yeah, to my mind it's about painting with words, and that works so well, especially in darker tales. Luvverly!

Also: pom-poms. RAH RAH RAH!