I read this book shortly after it came out 14 years ago, and it's stuck with me all these years. I won't say its the greatest book I've ever read - there were definately some slow points and characters that seemed to be a bit TOO odd or maybe even unnecessary - but it is definately a VERY GOOD book, one I would recommend to anyone looking for some nice escapist fiction that can get you thinking in unusual ways. It offers some very nice twists and turns and was quite and enjoyable ride. It's not every book I remember 14 years after first reading it.