I would not have persisted with this one if it wasn't for the Tolkien and C.S. Lewis connection. I got very little out of it, and I didn't think the philosophical insights were worth slogging through the contrived plot and soulless characters. But many people think this is an incredibly important book, so if you've read a chapter or two aren't getting into it, read a spoiler online to see if it will be worth your while.