I really, really wanted to like this book. I tried really hard, but in the end it fell flat for me and I'm happy I'm done and can move on to others. I've read various other reviews and I seem to align myself more with those that were dissatisfied with this than those that loved it; maybe, I'm just not *smart* enough or well versed enough in philosophy for me to understand the genius of it. Also, I found myself constantly defending myself for reading this book by saying, "Its fiction!" as the title can be misleading about my beliefs to those that see me reading it in public (I guess that's my own personal agenda, right? -- but then I wonder if the author did that on purpose, as she could have just as easily called it "36 arguments against the existence of God".)

Overall, the character development fell flat; people seemed somewhat perfect descriptions of stereotypes and certain plot lines just disappeared or were ridiculous. What happened to Klapper? How did Cass really forget about his debate? Originally, I thought that the author was going to display a plot-driven example each chapter of how people could succumb to the belief of God based on the 36 arguments listed in the appendix which I thought was really smart and really not at all gimmicky, but after the first chapter, this was discarded much to my disappointment. I also had to keep my dictionary next to my bed to constantly look up words as the author does get rather artistic and liberal with her floridity of text.

Try it out and let me know what you think. Buzzy, I'm interested in your thoughts as I know you have an interest in philosophy!