What's your idea of a good novel?

Question:

What's your idea of a good novel?

I like ones with lots of action, cliff-hanging suspense, and which don't skimp on the description. And most importantly, it has to be a good story, the kind that makes people scratch their heads and wonder why it hadn't been written sooner. Of course, a few lessons and well-placed observations on life wouldn't hurt, not to mention a light helping of romance as well.

Your thoughts?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Well, I'm pretty tired of the "clever novel."
Writers who come up with unusual and somehow plausible circumstances - a girl with giant thumbs, a bear on a unicycle, girls running about saying, "arp, arp, arp." It feels like they all took the same writing course in prep school.

The pace of the novel is important - I've been reading James Patterson lately who writes simple two page chapters, this is a tool to keep the book moving along.

I think POV is very important: Scout telling the story in To Kill a Mockingbird or the little boy in Bless Me, Ultima -- there is a broader story being told but it's the point of view of the character that gives it power and emotion (in these cases, youth).

Finally, I want the ending to last for a while. I like my books to tie up the loose ends, a hint of how the character moves on past the Big Event and a feeling that it's complete.