The ending of this book is the only time I can recall ever throwing a book across the room, stomping on it, and chucking it in the trash. I just couldn't believe what I had read and tried to get so invested in. I thought it would redeem itself a bit in the end, but nope, not for me. The basic premise was a fantastic idea; just wish it'd gone better. There was too much and not enough going on through much of it.

Yes, the film is iconic as hell, and yes, it's an adaptation, so it'll make changes, but those changes tightened the story and streamlined it so well half the book was unnecessary. What got me was how utterly unlikeable most of the characters were in the book. If they weren't complaining or bad-mouthing each other (to their faces or elsewhere), then they were pursuing their own agendas with relish. I hadn't seen a fiction book so populated with unlikeable people that I can recall. It's like watching old episodes of "House, M.D.", but EVERY freaking character acts like House!

There were too many side plots, some which had something going for them but were vaguely fleshed out (the mob and pressure to keep the beaches open by the mayor could've had a bit more, probably the only integral side-story that would've helped the movie a touch regarding the mayor's story).

Maybe if I'd read this before seeing the movie 100-ish times, I would've liked it better, but considering how much I despised the characters, it probably would've led me to not want to watch the movie. I think this is the one time I can say "the movie was better" without sarcasm or much defense.