I am also a reader from Nova Scotia who read the book for a book club, although I would have read it on my own. However, I was very disappointed in the book. Yes the language is frequently beautiful, but there is no story whatsoever. The characters are never developed, hence I had no sympathy for any of them. The author is accomplished but I get the feeling that he was given the Booker because of his reputation, not because of this book. I was very disappointed in this Booker Prize winner. I feel that it is like The Emperors New Clothes, no one wanted to say it was just a boring book with nice words. By the way, no one in the book club liked the book, one member started it and refused to finish it.