This note contains spoilers for the book.

This being the uncut / unedited edition. I'm more than ever convinced that he applied his own final polish at the same time as editorial revisions—so this version lacks that. It shows.

I'm kinda past finding new things in this, seems like. It was never a big favorite, and I always viewed it as the harbinger of his slide into self-indulgence that so badly damaged the novels of the last, oh, let's say 18 years of his life.

Jubal's explanation of several Rodin sculptures is still great, though. I haven't seen the sculptures myself, so I have no opinion. As Ben says (roughly), "Why isn't this stuff where people can see it?"