This book is really beautiful and moving. It's very long, but it feels so worth it - Verghese gives himself the time and space to fully sketch out each character's life, circumstances, relationships, and understanding of India and the land. The way the characters think about British colonial rule is incredibly interesting and never feels preachy, but rather feels true to their lives, and I was really attached to every character. I wish I had written this review closer to the time I read it, because of course I've forgotten most of my thoughts, but this was a book I savored that really touched me.