I marveled at the prose and structure of this book while reading; I was never bored and often I would laugh out loud at its cleverness. I understand why some people may be put off by some of the novel's signature characteristics, but I loved them. I loved how the story unfolded, refolded, and ebbed and pulled -- to the phases of the moon. I enjoyed how the book became circular and revealed origins at the end. Several interesting characters painted the landscape of an 1860s New Zealand gold rush town, and I look back on them fondly, for the most part. The villains made me angry, a death late in the book made me sad, and I felt protective of a couple (The Couple?). A great work, and I look forward to reading more Eleanor Catton.