This is a scifi classic for a reason. That said, it's quite slow and a product of its time, especially in how it characterises women. 

I first read it about ten years ago and listening to the audio book was easier, and I appreciated the political intruige more, though that may be thanks to the enders shadow series. I am going to give the next book a go. 

Overall it was very, very long with a rather jarring 4 year time skip, and I was sad the audio book didn't include the appendixes.