Character Likability in On Beauty

I'm really facinated by the debate over whether or not we ought to like the characters to read about in fiction and how likability functions as a device. If anyone's seen South Pacific they'll know what I mean (Since Nellie Forbush is so gosh-darn cheery and lovable, we do a double-take when she turns out to be uber racist and absurdly ignorant...if she had been nasty, we would have just written her off as a bad guy). So who in On Beauty do we like and how does that effect how we read the book? Who do we dislike and what effect does that have? And not to suggest for a second that there aren't shade of gray, and different kinds of liking. I love reading about Levi, in some ways he reminds me of my kid brother (I'm with Lisa on the this-book-makes-me-a-wee-bit-sibling-missing thing) and I think some of his dialogue is hilarious. But I think if we really met, we wouldn't have much to talk about. Opposite with Kiki, who after a while is kind of just singing the same old song, but seems like the kind of person you'd love to have in your life. Zora annoys me, but I see a little bit of myself there, too (ugh, hopefully not too much), and must have some sympathy for her because I hate Vee right along side her. In fact, all the Kippses get on my nerves, although I have to point out Smith is a master at painting the pitch perfect annoying family. I like Jerome, he's like that little puppy in the corner, how can you not like him. Claire, again, and example of pitch perfect annoying (obviously a different kind of annoying) and yet, there are moments you genuinely pity her (or at least, I do). And then there's Howard. I don't even know what to do with Howard.