If I had read this upon its original publication, I'm sure I would have been dazzled by the invention of the novel as a form, since I would have had no expectation of length or structure or tropes. But I'm a modern reader, and I knew exactly where this story was going, and that it took far too long to get there.

I guess I'm also just not a fan of the picaresque?? I spent a thousand pages being annoyed. Most of the characters are unbelievably annoying. Most of the chapters could have been cut. I need to stop or I'll work up a head of steam on this rant.