While I find myself incredibly interested in this subsection of society and the cultural history in both countries featured I can't say I ever really connected with any of these characters which made it a difficult read to invest myself in. In fact, the way in which one is automatically referred to put me entirely off and rather abrasive to those that we are supposed to be rooting for. While I understand finding someone's actions unacceptable, there is an ugly title given to a character before the reader can even be allowed to come to conclusions about themselves that comes across more about race, pride, and greed than action initially. 

THe mystery didn't feel as vital of a part, even though it is the introduction, as a way to tell the story of the places and time. I did like the perspective of what it was like for different times before and after the revolution. I do like how it highlights the different venues when it comes to class and gender. But I just never was as engaged as I had hoped.