Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: An unpleasant surprise...

As an avid reader, I could not wait to get my hands on a copy of a book that had been recommended to me a thousand times. I devoured the first chapter, and admit it had its brilliant points, but as the book progressed I found it to be banal and tedious. The characters, described by some as "wonderfully flawed" come across as contrived and ridiculous. The author's extraordinary talent for prose is tarnished by his particular taste for describing the ugly parts of life and failing. If you are looking for a childish endeavour of a novel, veering into sexual activity as an attempt to keep interest but instead insulting intelligence, read this.Don't get me wrong, I know this is a cherished book by many, and I agree that his style has exceptional flair at points. Unfortunately it fell way below expectation; there is nothing deep about this book. The idea was enchanting, I get choked up just thinking about the storyline, but the execution is another matter.