I must say when I first started the book I had a similar impression - I think it was more like I wasn't expecting it rather than the writing itself. I warmed up to it pretty quickly though, and went back and started from the beginning again where I then thoroughly enjoyed the rest of it. Have loved every one of his books he has written, and while its been a while since I've opened one of them, I do recall that Thousand Mile Summer had a different feel to it.
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Greg
www.naturefocused.com