I really enjoyed this, and regret having not read it specifically because I saw (and disliked) the movie. The characters had serious depth, and the theological-vs-scientific plot wasn't nearly as forced as it was in the movie, and instead presented as two sides with wonderful shades of gray, not direct contrasts. The alien message itself was handled intelligently, and the effects on society were obviously well thought out by Mr. Sagan. I found it a very fulfilling read.