This book is beautifully crafted, with wonderful descriptions, an intricate plot. It has good character development. It comes from a historical perspective that many of us have little exposure to. There are wonderful insights into people. The dialogue is great. I've read it twice now and I think that I am just starting to recognize the use of symbolism in the book (shadows, rain, etc). While life for the characters in no picnic, there is still a sense of the goodness of most people and of hope.