Onward but not upward

More like sideways, but the rains held off another day, which helped cheer people. Beloved spouse has a birthday tomorrow, so we did a bit of preparation to fete it, although discreetly.
Am nearing the end of The Savage Detectives, by Roberto Bolano, and have the feeling that I just didn't appreciate the angst of the characters very much. It has had its moments, but overall, I am left with an oddly empty response. Maybe it needs to be thought about for a bit.