[2] Parade has four chapters,[3] of roughly equal length.

[3] According to Book Marks, the book received a "mixed" consensus, based on twenty-five critic reviews: six "rave", eight "positive", seven "mixed", and four "pan".

The magazine's critical summary reads: "While a few readers will be thrilled by the novel's obfuscation, the conclusion remains, "Skippable for all but her most devoted tier of readers" (New York Times)".

[5] Patricia Zohn, writing for Air Mail, said even "fans" of Cusk would "be daunted" by the novel.

[6] Dwight Garner referred to the novel as "skippable for all but [Cusk's] most devoted tier of readers".