Just ask yourself this: when was the last time you read a book where EVERY character was multifaceted, EVERY character was fully developed, and EVERY character had a fully realized character arc? Even a third-person narrator?Yes, it is long and daunting, but absolutely rewarding and absolutely worth it. It's rare to find such a gripping novel that isn't plot-driven (don't think for a second that there isn't a plot, though, because there is absolutely an intricate and wonderful plot). A brilliant portrait of a town of "regular people".