I don't consider ZAMM a philosophy book and a lot are trying to criticise it from that 'formal' angle. If you try to read it for what it is it's much better.

A lot of books/movies/cultural artefacts require a certain mood, life experience, nature or worldview. Trying to absorb or understand those artefacts without the prerequisites make it a bad experience.

So, perhaps in a few years you'll view it differently. Or perhaps when you are in a different mood. Or perhaps your nature / worldview is incompatible with the 'angle' in the book and you will forever dislike it.

I don't believe there is anything I could explain about how I viewed it that would make it better for you, especially since you just finished it and reached your own (negative) conclusions.

But I think one should regard with some, let's say, respect certain cultural landmarks. They mirror something from the human spirit / experience and it can't be just coincidence they are appreciated.