I picked up P3P because I've heard great things about the series and honestly, I'm having some trouble getting into it. The whole Tartarus section seems really dumb, and if that's the meat of the game, I think I may bow out gracefully now instead of continuing on.

that's up to you, I don't think Tartarus was the greatest thing ever but it never put me off. First how long have you been playing?

" I picked up P3P because I've heard great things about the series and honestly, I'm having some trouble getting into it. The whole Tartarus section seems really dumb, and if that's the meat of the game, I think I may bow out gracefully now instead of continuing on. "

You should bow out while you still can.
 
It doesn't really get much better than that if you don't like the S-links

I'm playing it on very easy so I know all the mechanics and the next game I play will be on normal. I'm about 3/4 of the way through and I know now for my second play through I have to grind in Tartarus and establish the S links I like. If you don't like grinding this game is not for you. 

Tartarus pretty much makes 50% of the game.
 
I loved it though, and this is one of the few times I've ever looked forward to grinding.

I'm a sucker for level grinding. My first playthrough on normal racked up 130 hours. I'm starting over as a lady this time; but I'm not doing New Game+ because I want to see all the Social Links events. I am using the "Working Girl" walkthrough though so I can max the stats and Social links on my first run. The differences in the two versions are pretty cool; you get to know Junpei a little better in the female version :D