2.5 stars: because I continued reading this book for the sake of finishing it, and scarcely found myself enjoying it at all. I can already tell its over-written and self-important tone has infected me just by writing this short review.

I'd better grab another book before it sticks.

Other reviews were right. This might have made waves when it was written, but it didn't age well enough to please the modern reader. However, I do think figuring out why is a good lesson for those burgeoning writers out there.