Believe everything that you've heard about this book. It's an ambitious book that reminds you of a time when writers believed in themselves and believed in the Holy Grail of The Great American Novel. Critics will feel uncomfortable about the expansiveness and the scope of the novel and their comments will be reminiscent of criticism of Twain's Huck Finn. There are times when we need to know the greatness in life and simply relish it, enjoy it as much as we can. Mr. Chabon has given us such a gift with this book. In short, Michael Chabon is the Michael Jordan of the literary world right now. Relish his achievements.