Smith's fifth novel returns us to his series of cross-over stories dubbed The NY Tales (The Bends, Shadow's Bliss, Fade and God in a Box) after a brief hiatus writing in London and his British novel, the enigmatically and nigh perfect, Burning Indigo. God in a Box is a further hike into Americana (Smith's favourite topic) with yet another set of damaged goods as the central character set.Max Hammond (imagine Anthony Michael Hall) is a former child star who, 20 years after his fall from grace, is now a waiter. He starred in John Hughes-esque teen movies all directed and written by his mentor, lover, and former pedophilic groomer, Robert Cowley. While Max happily became a nobody, Cowley became the biggest director in Hollywood. So when Cowley dies, and his funeral is going to be a huge television event, Max must decide to return to his former life, and say his goodbyes to the man who broke, made, and then broke him again, so stay in the shadows.Of course, the latter was never going to happen so Max embarks on a typical Smith road trip full of strange situational comedy, memorable characters, and witticisms that will double you up. Joining him is the former lead singer of a punk group and now shut in suffering from selective mutism Sable Goss (imagine Suzanna Hoffs from the Bangles) and it is truly madcap when it wants to be. But as Smith proves again and again with ease, you can mix comedy and heartache, and as the two drive across the country they relive their tragic tales, of drugs and drink, suicide and domestic abuse, violence and hitting rock bottom while always just one line away from a side splitting joke.Well done, well worth the read. As are his other works.