How many of the people who voted had read the novel previously? When I voted (and I didn't even comment for The Count in the first thread, unlike someone), I chose based on what I had in my possession and what I had heard positively reviewed in the past. I didn't choose it because it was "childish" or "comfortable," because I didn't have that information at that point. I have a feeling I'm not alone in this.

And this frequent use of Camilla's comment greatly amuses me, given that she was another who said she'd enjoy discussing this, even though she didn't think she had time. Which, incidentally, is another reason I ultimately thought it was a good choice- I wouldn't have taken the time to read such a long book if I hadn't wanted to contribute to these posts with my friends. The argument that we're all a bunch of morons for selecting a book most hadn't yet read critically is silly, and worse, potentially damaging to the continuation of the club.

Overall, it seems to me that this selection has done its job as a book club choice, as it has given us a really good opportunity to trash or support a "classic" as we see fit.

(All that said, hate on, by all means. I simply mind that many of us are being judged on something we wouldn't have known previously, and I find that obnoxious.)