This book further confirmed my belief that I was not meant for the "classics". The only classic I've ever felt lived up to it's name was The Catcher in the Rye. I found this book tedious, and I didn't like most of the characters. I found them irritating. Sometimes it seems to me that authors try so hard to make their characters real that they end up even more cliche. The drunk, the black man, the ignored child, Yadda, Yadda. I'm not saying that all the characters have to be just like me, but I would prefer a few characters that would make at least pleasant company. Anyway, I didn't find it completely unredeeming. The author surely wrapped things up beautfully at the end, and wouldn't say I'm totally dissappointed I spent my time reading it. But it will be a long time before I try another "classic" that's for sure.
