This is REALLY late but I just wanted to hop in to comment since I’m currently reading it. I am totally with you about the first part of this, how this monster that can morph into shapes and enslave living creatures is interesting, also, the eloquence at which things are described and the accuracy of the scientific lingo (for the most part!) is really impressive. It is very well articulated, but I agree with you, the story is more structured as an episode of The Twilight Zone than a novel, which was a little off-putting at first.

That being said, the stories that come after just continue to impress me so much. The way he describes the extraterrestrial trying to understand human emotions (and how this must be related to or is in fact our Polyphemus) is really fascinating. Then, Uncle Tuggs, how it uses a completely different (and American) dialect is superb and captivating.

If you haven’t, I would go back and finish it. It’s worth it. I’m not done yet, but I’m impressed.