and I agree that the first chapter does not work. But apparently it works for a lot of people. And it works, and has some better moments, when you reread it (like Pestle's shoe thing in the empty place). But I liked and read the book despite it, not because of it.

I am not sure why you should need my forgiveness (although if I had not had a glass of wine or so, I might come after you for naming him "Babycakes"), though. I was not annoyed about repetition. Do you mean repetition of information?