I have not read the Updike article, but I might seek it out and read it if I find myself with some extra spare time. Based on what you have said so far, I get

I have not read the Updike article, but I might seek it out and read it if I find myself with some extra spare time. Based on what you have said so far, I get the impression that you admire handiwork of actually constructing a 4000+ page novel of this kind. In that respect I can actually agree with you. It is indeed a remarkable work in many ways. But, it is my opinion that in terms of a vessel for conveying a compelling story, it completely fails. Can you say that you actually enjoyed reading the book? Or did you appreciation stem from a feeling of accomplisment that you managed to plow through something that few people succeed in reading? I can happily admit that I was not able to complete it. Once I realised that it wasn't going to improve, I just stopped.