I feel like I read this a long time ago, but maybe not; nothing seemed familiar once I got into it. The narrative itself is interesting, if inconsequential; the characters are stimulating, for all that they're not that profound. I wish I had read this when it was first published, without the hindsight that this book defined (or at least highlighted characteristics of) my generation. As it stands, it was difficult to completely set aside the milestone nature of the book and simply enjoy it for what it is. As much as I could do so, however, this book impressed me with its voice in spite of its somewhat meandering plot.