When I read this in 2006: 
 This is my reading material to Dusseldorf. It actually entertained me for the hour long flight and for a week afterward. 
 Now, in 2015: 
 This book is extremely long-winded. You have to have the patience of a saint to get through it, and the plot isn't particularly innovative enough for it to be worth it. Ergo, I had the patience of a saint back in 2006. 
 There are memorable bits in this story, and it's not terrible as some people are making it out to be - but seriously. Too. Long. Winded. It prevents me from ever picking this book up again.