What happened here?

I bought this book riding on a high of Delaney talent. I had just read Babel 17, and thought it was one of the finest, most unique pieces of science fiction I'd ever read. I loved the dysfunctional language, the Eyes, Ears and Nose (ghosts as the engineering crew of a starship - superb). In fact there Was not a thing about that novel did I disliked, then I bought Dharlgren .... What happened? Did Delaney's talent mystery disappear? A more self-obsessed, mindless waste of paper I do not think I've ever come across. I thought Stephen Donaldson had a tendency to verbose ramblings, but this book Could be used to give a masterclass on page-wasting drivel. Maybe there are Those out there who will love this, but I prefer to remember the vibrant Delaney of Babel 17th