I really enjoyed this book, and I find it interesting that a book I loved so much - and saw as incredibly rich and developed - others saw in a far less appealing light. I felt Archer was an extremely well crafted character, and the other people in his world were just as well molded. While the novel did spend a good deal of time on material that didn't really progress the "plot", I felt that simply added to the world in which I, as a reader, was drawn. While I realize different people have different tastes, I hope that those who disliked this book will give it another try.