Hard to say, Martha. I will love the Ginseng Hunter for years, and am already thinking about re-reading it. His first novel (Pearl Diver) is, I think, more intense in story and less beautiful in language (although still very well done, IMO).
I have found the scenes in Pearl Diver coming back to me in the last few days even though it wasn't my favorite....you're in for a treat either way, I think, whether your preference is language or story.
(at this point we always say: "o god o god please let martha like this author!")
