when my uncle gifted me this book at age 11, I was mortified, and creeped out, and somewhat concerned for both the characters and the author's state of mind. After finally struggling my way through it several years later (I kept having to put it down and sigh), I can honestly say that I loved it. It is heartwarming and strange in all sorts of ways, and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone with a taste for slightly odd historical fiction.