I actually really enjoyed this. The characters aren't super fleshed out, and the prose isn't the best I've ever read (but was by no means bad or even just average), but those are two things which I think are definitely forgivable for a philosophic, allegorical, speculative fiction novel. It was reminiscent of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, yet set in the wonderful and strange world of Tormance. This book made me think, feel, imagine, wonder, and empathize with the characters. I don't think there's too much more you can ask from a book like this. I can definitely see the strong influence it had on Lewis's Space Trilogy. I would recommend it if you have any interest in speculative fiction.