[pfortuny]

I have read it. There is no “point” in it, as with any other novel. It is a huge style exercise by a gifted writer, as far as I can see. I gather lots of chapters are autobiographical or nearly so.

The book is obviously too long and it becomes boring at places but there are certainly extraordinary passages (in style and in feeling). But as with Wagner’s operas, delight comes at a price.

[greatquux]

Exactly. The "point" is enjoying it. If you enjoy it, it hardly matters what it's about or trying to say, and vice versa. I enjoyed it, so that's why I kept reading and rated it 5 stars.