You can certainly tell in sections of this book that it was written during a cocaine binge. 

However, despite some of it's quirks and it's (perhaps excessive) length, I never found this story boring, or poorly written. It feels like it could have been written as a serial. I think the adaptations really would have benefitted from being set as a television show or a several part mini-series rather than stuffing this behemoth into two movies. 

I'll need to sit with this one, but over all it was definitely enjoyable. 

I am happy to say I've this book under my belt.