I couldn't finish this book. I could barely start it. I was not at all interested in the story (or lack of) and there was a lot of the stream of consciousness business that I just HATE. I was incredibly disappointed as I loved the movie "The Stone Reader" and was really really excited to read the book. I can't imagine what came over that film maker. (Maybe he read a different book?!) I'll be giving this one to Goodwill before I am overcome with some weird notion that I should make another attempt at reading this book.