The idea and the plot moving the story is pretty fascinating. However, the tedious description kills the story  and slows down the plot. The characters are poorly developed except for Julie shown as the only creative and  vigorous person. To finish the book, I had to skip a bunch of pages to be able to follow and enjoy the plot. The idea behind the plot is depressing to say the least, quite a morbid story without any hope of a better life. 

Question: What is pace?
Answer: the tedious description kills the story   and slows down the plot