I'm not sure where I stand on this one. It is awfully "dry" but yet there are glimpses of humanity within the text, you just have to search them out. I get the feeling I could enjoy the novel as a whole piece but the First Impression didn't really hold my attention if I'm being honest. Likely it is one of those books where you have to struggle through 50 pages or so before you become absorbed and the writer's voice no longer overpowers the tale.