The reviews I've read have not been kind, but I'm still looking forward to giving it a chance. I have a signed 1st of it...went tonight to an interview of (by Neal Stephenson) and signing by Weir here in Seattle a couple nights ago...Weir was funny and personable. Place was packed -- other than King, by far the most folks I've seen at a signing. So if it's a dud, there're going to be a lot of disappointed folks.