I've made a stab at GEB numerous times in my life, in very different stages of my life. I'm close to 60 now so I've HAD a few different stages. I haven't been able to get through it; maybe not even the first 300 pages.

I may try the "skip that bit" trick and tilt at this windmill once more.

(NB: I hated "The Three Body Problem" when so many seem to love it. I wonder if there's any correlation there.)