Slowly paced. It feels like the sort of book written to win awards. For whatever reason, those type novels rarely move me like they do some. This one was different in that I did enjoy the read - albeit not as much as those that dictate what is award worthy - But it was good. 
 I can say without a doubt that I will probably be reading future books by Paolo though, in the end that is all that I think I can ask for from an author. Make it good enough for me to want to read something else you've written.