I think it takes a while to warm up. But well worth reading.
Discussion
Nah. You get whatever Rand is trying to teach just by listening to some of her many classes or interviews, in half and hour, one tops, and much more clearly. The book is completely artless, there's no merit to it other than the philosophy she's trying to teach in it.
Horses for Courses, I wouldn't have looked into Rand more if I haddnt read the book. I also think that remembering a story and characters to get the philosophy is easier, for me anyway.