Who Fears Death

I have very mixed feelings about this book. There were some moments of almost sublime loveliness, when the main character almost came into herself as a mystic, as willing savior to her people, with a clear understanding of the purpose of her tumultuous life. But those moments were rare. It was difficult for me to get a clear handle on the character voice, which is so important in a first-person novel. Was it meant to be simple, straightforward, despite the complexity of the character's destiny? Or was (as often seemed the case) was it just laziness on the part of the author, impatient and eager to get on with the plot?

My higher nature says, "Read it again sometime; maybe this was not the time for you to appreciate it." But my lower, that is to so say, practical, nature, says, "I'm not sure I see that happening."