That was certainly an experience - annoying and impressive in equal amounts. Things about it just made me gnash my teeth, mostly related to Franzen's EXTREME cleverness. And the names - my god, he must have spent SO much time coming up with those perfect, perfect names. What what made it work for me above and beyond being a very piece of sprawling writing was how Franzen gives you a way into each character, that they're just kaleidoscopic enough to see a bit of your own reflection in them. There was real intelligence about human nature behind it - all those people beating their heads against reality. I can't remember when I last read a more anxiety-producing book, but I enjoyed it.