"What a pleasant surprise it was to buy and read a novel by an author I had never heard of; then find that I liked it a lot. I am talking about Michael Lee Abramson's paperback , copyright 2019. The story follows the paths of development of two teen-age boys (and some of their colleagues and families) into their adulthoods. It happens during a time when government in the U.S. enforces a benevolent (?), genetically-determined program of social fairness that appears to be accepted by the general population but not without exceptions. The program is not explained in detail. Nevertheless a reader soon gets the general sense of what takes place under it. The author's method of illustration is via the grading and sports practices at the boys' high school. Readers will recognize a certain trend of 'fairness' that has been present in the U.S. ever since post-World War 2 times. The story includes the dynamics of family and business relationships that exist under the program.

In this reviewer's opinion the author wanted to tell a story that while not 'short,' is also not long enough to cause readers to lose interest. Mr. Abramson's writing style is direct and without embellishment. His paragraphs are short. This attractive feature includes his use of dialogue. Sentences are brief while at the same time effective.

As long as readers accept the fact that this novel has been written in ways that show in general what the author considers to be important as well as unimportant, I believe that they will appreciate his style. I am reminded of the French 'Maigret' police procedurals (as translated into English). Aurthor Georges Simenon wrote those in minimalist style. (They were rarely longer than 200 pgs.) And he was certainly successful with them.

Some of us appreciate finding a novel that isn't packed with violence and profanity. Mr. Abramson performed a great favor for us in writing . The epithets are few and mild. Another thing I want to mention: The author's psychological science might not be exact for present times. But this IS a novel and his science is presented in a way as to be easily acceptable. In other words, it works well in his story.

I recommend the book to anyone who doesn't require the presence of 21st century 'knock-em-down-and kick'- em' type prose in the novels he chooses. Mr. Abramson has succeeded with his writing of . I hope he keeps it up.

N.B. There IS one thing I think could have been done better. That was the ending. Nevertheless this is a matter of personal preference. My thoughts about it won't matter to most readers, I think. And I still liked the book a lot."