My New American Life / Francine Prose 306 p.

It's no surprise that I liked this new novel by Francine Prose, a writer who, for me, can almost do no wrong. Lula is a 26-year-old Albanian immigrant who's landed a comfortable situation in the home of Mister Stanley and Zeke, two bewildered (but wealthy) suburbanites at loose ends since the departure of Zeke's mother. Prose is an expert at shining a light on the foibles of affluent American culture through the eyes of outsiders; her observations are always razor sharp. When reading her, you get the sense that she could tell all sorts of things about you just by looking at your clothing and hair. In this story, drama ensues when Lula is asked to hide a gun by some fellow Albanians. Both sad and hopeful, and always smart.