Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: Forever, yes, but not so bright...

The mind boggles that this book was a Pulitzer prize finalist for fiction. It depresses me to think this is the level of writing that's considered possible prize winning fiction in 2011. The descriptions of small town America in the late 60's are good, but that's the only thing that's good in this book. There's no plot development; no character development; the protagonist, Mr. Dees, is a big wussy priss who totally lacks character and is afraid of his own shadow. He's neither likeable nor interesting, traits he shares with all the other characters in this book. I read reviews from people who liked it, but frankly, I don't get it. This is not worth the time it takes to read it.