I had very mixed feelings about this book. There were aspects of it I really liked and others I didn't like at all. The first 40 pages were a struggle, in which a character I didn't yet care about was forced to suffer in somewhat irritating ways, with consequences I didn't yet understand. I might have given it up at that point except so many people told me they love this book. After page 40, the middle section suddenly unfolded in a strange, whimsical, and intriguing way. I came to really appreciate the two sisters (Constance and Merricat) who have lived in the Blackwood family home with their uncle since the entire rest of their family died. Pages 40-100 were really enjoyable. Then the last 40 pages (it's a short book) were once again difficult to read, but this time because characters that I cared for were suffering.