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This book did something that very few books are capable of: it came to life, and it did so in the margins. While the old story of S. and Sola and the rickety barge with its half-witted crew is interesting in its own right, the story that really had me hooked was that of Jen and Eric. I was surprised over and over again by the things they accomplish and felt the same way Jen did about a lot of things they discover. (Just to be clear: the margins and the story itself are intertwined, but you'll discover a lot more about V.M. Straka, FXC and the modern-day cult surrounding the mysterious author from the notes than from the original text.)

It's hard to write this review without spoilers, but I'm trying to keep it interesting for other readers. If you're a tad philosophical, this book is for you. (Ship of Theseus asks questions that it doesn't always answer, but don't worry about a Lost-like disappointment where allsorts of things are promised and not delivered. The mysteries in Ship of Theseus & S. are mostly about identity and you can find your own answers.) If you're a bibliophile, this book is for you. If you enjoy an intellectual romance, this book is for you.

Then about the method of reading it. I didn't read the whole Ship of Theseus first and then the margin notes or the other way around, but first read a chapter and then went back to read the accompanying margin notes from Jen and Eric. This felt natural because I remembered what the chapter was about when I read the notes. Also I wouldn't necessarily bother to read the notes in chronological order (i.e. first Eric's old notes, then the first conversation between Jen and Eric, then the conversation in the second colour and so on) because it's just too much hassle. S. was crafted with great care and if you take it chapter by chapter, it is easy enough to follow.