“Ford once again shows why he deserves to be hailed as one of the great American fiction novelists of his generation.” —The Washington Post Book World“By now, we have gotten to know Frank Bascombe well enough to take his measure, and to appreciate that, like almost no one else in our recent literature, he is life-size.” —The New York Times Book Review"The Lay of the Land . . . is distinct not only for its singular style but also because of its generosity. Ford shows that life is never easy and never placid. . . . Yet we keep moving forward for that occasional moment of pure understanding." —Chicago Sun-Times