Although I can't say this book was one of the most memorable classics I've read, it does provide a spectacular illustration of the fact that humans have always been human, and the daily dramas, elations, heartbreaks, and tensions are truly the same in any time. Reading this book felt like listening in on gossipy tales your older relations tell about people they knew long ago and you have never met.

The writing style is easy to follow, and carries an undercurrent of wry humor about the seriousness of these situations to our characters. The genre-savvy reader knows most of the trouble will pan out, but for the subjects it is all Very Important. The characters are fresh and engaging, even though they were written over a 150 years ago.

Sent out as part of a book trade

Thank you very much for agreeing to trade with me. I'll send the book you chose in the near future!