I tried reading this book twice -- TWICE! -- after several dear friends whose taste I consider impeccable told me to read it. Friends, I could not do it. I see that many fellow Good Readers have done so and awarded it 4 and 5 stars. I am only sorry that I have to give it a star at all. That said, I've started another Byatt novel (Angels and Insects), and it seems much more promising (e.g. I'm
enjoying it).