Very odd. At times enthralling but often weird and frequently confusing, though some of that is likely down to the translation and time and cultural differences.

Though overall I found the book enjoyable and well written I don't understand the rave reviews everywhere. It's good, but I wouldn't consider it great and doubt I'll want to read it again. Circle is understandable and likable enough and the story bimbles along in a weaving and engaging way bringing in well known Greek gods and heroes alike and yet somehow I found it lacking impact.

A digital edition can be read for free on Google books https://books.google.com/books/about/Thinks_I_to_myself.html?id=5CwlAAAAMAAJ

Written and set in Regency era Britain (think Jane Austen) this book is a very humorous tale of a young man's observations of the comings and goings of society. There are a few passages that I struggled to make sense of but on the whole its written in such a readable way and the human observations are still so valid that you'd never guess it was so old. Told in a first person narrative you get see young Robert (Bob) Dermont grow up and learn about the etiquette of the day, all the while making very satiracal observation to himself about all sorts of occasions and people. It make me a little sad that this book isn't better known.

Here's a little snippet.

... The servant entered with a note, which my mother immediately opened, and read aloud; the contents being to the following effect
' Mr. and Mrs. Meekin present their compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Dermont, and shall be extremely happy to have the honour of their company to dinner on Saturday next at five o'clock.'
Thinks- I-to -myself, how civil, polite and obliging—the servant was ordered to withdraw, and tell the messenger to wait. As soon as he was gone, ' good God, (says my father,) those peoplewill never let us alone; surely we dined there last;'
my mother thought not; -my father thought they were forever dining there; my mother convinced him by a reference to her pocket-book, that Mr.and Mrs. Meekin where quite right as to the balance of debtor and creditor;
well only take care, ' says my father, that we do notget into a habit of dining there above once or twice a year at the utmost; it is really two great a sacrifice.'
- What, do you mean to go then?' says my mother.
' Go,' says my father, why, I suppose we must '
'I wish they were further,' says my dear mother;
-' I wish they were at Jericho,' says my dear father:
' I had rather do any thing than go on Saturday,' says my mother;
'I had rather be hang'd than ever go,' says my father, it is such an intolerable bore;

Things I enjoy about this book: I love the narrators moments of speaking to thereader, there's a great balance of description and plot pace, the adventures are all entertaining.
The one thing that I think let's it down is that you are introduced so early on to 15 great characters but only 3 really get given any personality or purpose, a couple of the others get a notable feature but most are interchangeable and seem only to be there for the numbers. I would have liked a bit more fleshing out of the others or simply fewer of them, but then who am I to criticise Tolkien :D

I enjoyed the general concept and the mechanism of the world. However, the translation (I assume) has left the language quite stilted and abrupt at times, and the protagonist isn't that likeable. The main issue is that there is no actual main plot resolved by this individual book it just sort of ends.

Enjoyable for what it is though I'm not sure how useful it will be. I liked the style of the book; it seems well put together.