Aye, exactly! The characters...Nell and Dismé are okay but never really develop too much. Whereas Gibbon's Decline and Fall is arguably less good a book, but I like it a lot better because the scenario and characters (sucker for women's colleges and female friendships from college, yes I am) are far more accessible and interesting.

Lately I've really liked The Companions and The Margarets, so...idk.