The writing was on the brilliant side, and the struggle the narrator feels all thorough the book (not only on regards to his sexuality, but sex, love, gender and life in general) was real and palpable, well said but also showed--which is why despite the despicable acts he, David, commits, you understand why he acts how he acts (he's scared, mostly). 
 What I didn't appreciate so much was 1) women! They were round and complex characters, but the way they talked and were talked about was so-incredibly-sexist; 2) I can't pinpoint exactly what bothers me so much about it, but I'm unconvinced about the turn Giovanni makes towards the end and how things get "resolved". 
 HOWEVER, I think that just for that last fight between them (Giovanni says some highly quotable shit) I should give that book 5 stars. I will rethink it and come back later.