I use it on my Df and, accordingly, the "softness" of corners is much less of a problem. IQ-wise, I find it much better wide open than the 35/1.4 A (that indeed has a bokeh issue).
See for instance this other thread :
http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=117.15The purpose of a f/1.4 is to get used wide open every now and then, otherwise you better spare the weight and bulk (and cost). In this particular case, the 24 seems to be the best of the "A" series, rather than the worst.
I will certainly not paraphrase the Chuck Norris of photography concerning sharpness, but what I perceive with this lens is that it yields "clean" pics wide open, and "clean" may be perceived as "sharp" while test charts would say otherwise. By the way the review you quote is certainly honest and well executed.