I found it to be perfect for times when I might be interrupted in the middle of reading, because it doesn't have a suspenseful plot you are dying to get back to every time you put it down, yet each moment manages to be fascinating nonetheless. It's a mixture of high drama and naturalism and historical theorizing. I don't know how politically correct it is considered these days, but it seemed respectful to me. 4 stars because I did manage to forget about it for a long time before I picked it back up again, but I was left feeling so satisfied in the end that I nearly gave it 5 stars. It is a very nice book and I enjoyed it every time I read a passage.