Oh no... Duffy gets on her bike in Diet Coke spot

Underworld is an incredible novel. The first setpiece was so monumental that I couldn't get past it for about a year. I knew I had to make sure I read the book when the time was right. Then I remember getting halfway through with about 500 pages left and being elated I still had so much left because I was so gripped. Of 1000 pages, possibly two could have been improved on.

It's a shame if you found it tedious and unreadable; for me it's going to remain one of the most enthralling reads of my life. I read loads; it still stands out. In the wake of 9/11, new resonances emerged which lent it an almost prescient quality. For a while that was mind-blowing.

just to carry on the Don Delillo sub-thread...

Well, Pjs - if you found it that good, i may just have to give it another go. It remains one of only 3 books I have started but not finished, so annoys me still because of that.
Mind you - I have just started a 1200 page sci-fi monster, so it may be a while...