A Taxonomy of Barnacles

I just finished Galt Niederhoffer's novel, "A Taxonomy of Barnacles," and enjoyed it so completely I felt compelled to share my thoughts. Niederhoffer's book is such a delightful and engrossing read. Her prose is simply entrancing. The deeper I got into the book the more powerful her spell became. The story is about six sisters challenged by their rich and eccentric father to find an honorable way to carry on the family name. Whoever figures out a way first will inherit the family fortune. There are obvious echoes of Jane Austen in the setup but like all the literary allusions in the book (Darwin, Shakespeare, Preston Sturges) Niederhoffer weaves the references in so naturally that it never feels gimmicky or contrived. I wish more books were like this. Entertaining and ruminating at the same time. Full of ideas but careful only to apply them in service to the story. It's truly a great American comedy and a stunning debut, full of dry wit, great breathy descriptions of New York City and razor sharp dialouge. After reading the book I felt like I'd just spent a week with one of the strangest and most endearing familes in all of New York. And I can honestly say I was sad to say goodbye.

Six spunky sisters, unconventional parents, throw in some Jane Austen and Charles Darwin overtones, and you have a delightful, sophisticated read about modern family life. Highly recommended.

This is a beautifully nuanced story that combines Proust's eye for detail, Tolstoy's family drama and Austen's wry humor. It's a great read that only gets better as it moves forward. Highly recommend to anyone with imagination and a semblance of wit -- or just anyone with a family.

I completely loved this book. I would recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys Shakespeare, Stoppard, and/or Austen. It's written with keen observation of human behavior and a masterful command of the English language. I found it charming, witty, and a pleasure to read from beginning to end.

The author subjects her characters to scrutiny under the brightest of lights. Such illumination reveals the foibles of even those most appealing. If not vigilant one could conclude this author is critical of her subjects, yet the manner she handles her story reveals the tongue in cheek reality of her understanding of and affection for both the weaknesses and strengths of people. It is a well constructed novel and is a good read.