While I found this novel engaging, and hard to put down, there were many problems with the piece itself. One of the main criticisms that can be heard about this book is the lack of characterization. The protagonist is woefully under-defined. I almost felt as if his ecotopian lover was more interesting than he was. As well, many of the protagonist's friends in the novel are without development. Second, everything in the novel fell in to place far too easily. Everything bordered on a pleasant fantasy, instead of something that could actually happen. The idea is intriguing, and this novel certainly could be seen as a manifesto for a 'stable-state', the lack of realism turned me off. And finally, I was dissapointed in the climax and resolution of the work. I knew by about half-way through the book the exact outcome of the ending. All in all though, it was interesting. I would recommend it as a good read, but not without criticisms.