
I've just recently finished Peter Carey's latest, a funny and intelligent ode to Toqueville and America's transformative and humble roots: Parrot and Olivier in America. This is one of the best books I've read in a while, and surprisingly light. I loved it!
I'll leave the reviews to the professionals, but this one is definitely worth the read!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/books/review/Mallon-t.html
http://www.salon.com/books/laura_miller/2010/04/11/parrot_and_olivier_in_america