Egan's voice seems to fly past all the pitfalls and obstacles that typically block an author from entering one's heart. She is hilarious, direct, believable, acute, awe-inspiringly adept in storytelling. 'Goon Squad' achieves a perfect balance between sardonic humour and genuinely crushing emotion I haven't encountered before or since; it beautifully encapsulates raw nostalgia, grief, and paralysing existential dread without ever once coming on too strong and risking melodrama or pessimism.

Since I read this book at the beginning of this year I've gushed about it to many, offered it up to a few, and lent it to one — a grave mistake. I'm now in the market for a new copy so I can come back to it, and see how the goon has changed my views.