Incredibly richly-drawn characters, to the extent that you really do feel that KNOW them, which makes the story all the more poignant. This is a very canny novel, I'm tempted to say brilliant. Anyway, there's not much that I can say without spoiling it. Suffice to say, the emotional impact that is eventually delivered represents a magnificent achievement.

I really did love it, even if I did hate it.

You'll get it when you read it.