I suspect that few of us--from our comfy surrounds and nonmenacing enviros--could 'empathize with' the cast of genuine Characters, just cannot imagine on that scale of rampant weirdness. Nor can I, but the trek through their solitary Zen-like? existence is worth the ride; if nothing else it reminds just how! sheltered are The Eloi all around + Us, in our various cocoons.

(Alas, while I might ~admire such stick-to-it-ness on the one hand, on the other hand: it's modrin Murican Solitary-for-liff sheer torture; ya can't compare mental-torture self-inlicted with ..a cut-purse's haul from your wallet full of C-notes, right?