One of the Little House books referred in passing that Ma would read to Pa from this book. It's a good read; there are themes of money/corruption, family ties, and reputation, but at the same time, it's really a lot like a soap opera in that characters will often maddeningly not see what is right in front of them, (but as we all know, that's precisely what keeps people hooked on a soap opera.) I'm not normally a fiction reader, and most times I pass fiction books on to the thrift store when I am done, but this one is on my shelf to re-read at some future time. A good snowy day book.