You do tell it so that it sounds fantastic--but I really understand what you mean about plodding and unimaginative narrative, and yet also why you remain fond of it. It's kind of a talisman of your reading (and personal) past.

Regarding comments, go to your account and just be sure that you've got the preference checked for e-mail notification. I went for months unable to get comment and then discovered it was because somehow that had come unchecked on my account.