I feel like the author was trying to follow the pattern of the classic writers to create a long literary work. However, it ended up being a very long story with tangents that don't contribute much value to the story line or character development. I found that despite the length, main characters are not fully developed emotionally, they lack depth and believability. Also, unlike the classics, this book doesn't provide much social commentary. Its redeeming value is that it does cause a reader to ponder what is the value and the meaning of a life and how one chooses to live it.

The first third of the book is good and engaging. But then it goes even slower and by the second third I was ready to give up. However, I was a bit invested into the story and was bored enough to continue listening; I'm not sure if I had continued if I was reading the book.

In many instances, the author uses a multitude of words where one will do. Some scenes repeat with variation of details. Others are alluded to a few times, and only later the full story is told. It can be viewed as a creative expression, but to me, it was overly verbose and unnecessary.

If you like a long long long long and slow journey feel free to dive in. The premise of the book is good, but as many other critical reviews mention, it doesn't live up to the potential offered.