Baffled .....

I read Kim by Kipling like a good little girl. I don't get it. Yes, I saw the magic in some of his sentences. The characters were well developed and interesting. So ... it is one of those award winning must reads. Why did I have to read it. Please - someone explain it to me. I wont put Kipling on the "These books lost me" shelf next to Joyce and and Pynchon. I wont put him next to the "Hate" books like The Old Man and the Sea and Almost Moon. I'm not sure where to put him. I liked it - I think. Help me if you can.

(sandywardbell.com)