Title: I wish it was better
Review: Several friends strongly recommended I read this book, certain I'd be crazy about it. I'm not. While the plot shows a lot of originality and craftmanship, and the themes are rich, Maguire doesn't have much insight into these characters or wisdom about these themes. It is a plot-driven novel, all of the characters are flat. In other words, Maguire plotted a course from point A to point B, connected the dots, and no character changes along the way. I didn't stop once to ponder what this artist was saying about life. I spent no time apart from the book, processing the knowledge that is being imparted. It's entertaining, but for me, what makes a novel worth the hours spent reading it is a unique insight into the ways of the world. This book is bone dry in that regard, and leaves you hungry for a Nobel prize candidate or winner.
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