I read
The Sea The Sea by Iris Murdoch with increasing distaste. It felt like an ode to superficial, one-note, dull, self-delusional egos (including one massive one that wore all these attributes) who I never cared about until I began to simply dislike them. Of course, this book is lauded by authors and critics far more intelligent and learned than me, so consider my shout of anti-recommendation a relatively feeble squeak. But don't read it - you'll hate it.
Cheers,
Marc