What can I say? This book really grew on me even though initially I didn't see what all the fuss was about. The further along I read, the more it became obvious that it was not necessarily focused on the characters introduced in the beginning, about whom I was totally ambivalent, so it managed to keep me interested. The final chapter takes place in the not-so-distant future, which was totally unexpected and incredibly funny/disturbing. I still wonder about the awards and critical-acclaim thrown at this novel, but it is undeniably great.