I have that on my shelf, but have only read the first chapter or so, I think, just couldn't get into it. Bought on a whim, partly because of how huge it was!
If you only read the pool scene, you didn't really get into the meat of the book. That said, if the content of the pool scene was a big turn-off for you, there will be several other scenes throughout the book that will also be big turn-offs.
Where he ruminates on the finger pointing-flicking being like the lights on construction barriers flashing? And he meets Eliza and rubs the foundation off his thumbs? I'd say that's where it kicks into gear, yeah.