The book is quite the tome at 1280 pages. Don't go into this spy story expecting James Bond action and adventure. The book provides a lot of information that is tangential to the story and some information you think is tangential only to realize 300 pages later that it means something to the story. All in all this is a worthwhile read if you get invested in the characters early on like I did. I can see where it would be a chore to get through if you are not so invested. Mr. Mailer sucked me in early and I stayed true till the last page.