I bought this years ago, intending it as a gift for a friend. I never gave it to my friend, and instead it languished on my bookshelf. I picked it up recently, thinking there was a possibility that I could read a few chapters, decide I wasn't into it, and give it away. Instead, I read the whole thing, and enjoyed it quite a bit. I think that the story within a story formatting worked really well, and helped me keep my interest in a story that might have annoyed me otherwise. I didn't care for the main character for a majority of the book, but I did like Marianne Engel, so having half the book be her story was very helpful for me. I also liked the uncertainty - do we believe Marianne Engel's story, a strange and improbable tale, concocted by a diagnosed schizophrenic? Or do we believe the certified skeptic, rooted in reality? I know what I believe, but the journey to that belief was a bit longer than I expected. Anyway, quite enjoyable. Perhaps I should read more literary fiction?