To revisit an old favourite and not be impressed like you remember being 20 years ago isn't unusual. To read the afterword and be informed by the author that he "updated" the text to include "more colourful characters" makes me suspicious. I must read the original text again to be sure!
Despite it all such a great story, despite the tautness off the thread and what an introduction to the irrepressible FU - the Teflon Whip