I'm surprised by how polarising it is. I read it at about 20, and I thought it was alright. No strong feelings either way, but I probably wouldn't read it again.

I think it's kind of a wonderful thing about stories, that they can affect us like this, even though it hurts.

I think at longest I felt acutely sad for a couple hours, and had a vague cloud hanging over me for a few days. How long ago did you finish the book?

I read this too fast and read "giant clam claiming to be 214 years old"