It's hard to read books with unlikable characters, and there were very few characters in this book who I didn't just hate most of the time. It was worth all 500 pages, though, and I ended up really liking the book. I could understand or pity most of the characters even if I didn't like them, and I really enjoy the kind of literature that is driven more by character developments and relationships than by plot devices. This one handles some really intense and painful issues, too. 
 A note on the fact that it's written by J.K. Rowling: Seriously, you have to stop comparing it to Harry Potter. It's not the same world; it's not the same style of writing; it's not the same genre. This book has things in common with Catcher in the Rye, 
 Freedom 
 , even Cold Sassy Tree--but it has nothing in common with Harry Potter. Everyone keeps saying they know that, and then I see them compare it anyway. Just get Harry Potter out of your head, pretend you have no idea who wrote this one. That's the only way to give this book a fair reading, and I think it deserves that much.