Your summary points out so well why JA's writing seems so real - all the background information she gives about the socicety in which we are 'moving'. I am thankful she never goes into tedious details about the environment - for when in real life does that happen? Instead she leaves clues and titbits in our subconscious to create the illusion of a bustling society.

Giving notice to these little details, however brings out so many interesting background scenes! Who needs television?