This is a story about many things: work and family, hopes, dreams and aspirations, illness, wealth, poverty and privilege, and addiction. However, I felt that the main theme boiled down to the relationships (sometimes very difficult!) between family and friends. I took a long time to get involved in this book. I liked the various characters - particularly Johnny and his young neighbour - and their backstories, but found that the pace rather meandered at the beginning. As the story unfolded, I got more engaged and keen to read on. I enjoyed the contrast between the US and Scotland, and that the book was variously from the points of view of several of the main characters. Overall, I enjoyed this.