Like many of the reviews I've seen on here, I like the first part of the book and then it loses all appeal in the second half. Once he "understands people" he pretty much becomes a regular person with tricks. He loses all of his innocence and purity and lowers himself to try to win people. The ideas regarding sex and sexuality become more and more dated the more important they become to Smith's plans. I'm glad I read it but I'm really unclear as to why this is the greatest science fiction book.