The lyrical writing that is Annie Proulx can not be faulted nor the research that went into this book. However, I found it difficult to enjoy this book as it is more a series of short-stories as the accordian passes from owner to owner, and sometimes the complicated discriptions overweighed the story which I personally found tiresome, as well as the continual macarbe undercurrent. In saying that, what the book does give, is great colourful snap shots of the difficulties of being an american immigrant through a time span of 100 years, so the book definately has its value. Some accordian owners stories I found more enjoyable than others.