Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The writing is nothing short of masterful. My problem is that the protagonist, at least for the majority of the book, is a reprehensible human being. He falls in love at a very young age even though he's never actually talked to the girl, only exchanging notes, and maintained this obsession for his lifetime. She marries another after firmly rejecting him. It is incomprehensible to me that he sustains this for over 50 years. During that time, even though he is described as somewhat slovenly in his appearance and not attractive, he manages to voraciously bed multiple women, some for one time some as ongoing lovers. He only truly "loves" one person. A girl sent to him for protection who he seduces at the age of fourteen after grooming her for a few years. So we are supposed to be heartened when in his 70's he finally "gets the girl." My revulsion at this character was only overcome by the absolutely beautiful writing, the fully realized characters and the description of time and place. Be warned, this is a long and complex book, not an easy read.