I wanted to like this book. I certainly admire the author's research and use of language. She writes moving passages that make you feel you are there. Unfortunately this does not occur with her characterizations. Perhaps because there are so many I felt no emotional connection to any of them. The time spent with each generation is so short that you never get to know any of them. Since they were all mysteries,they seemed very much alike (the men and women both). Without any connection to the characters I found the book a great struggle to get through.