This is a somewhat slow burn historical fiction that follows five characters and spans three different time periods. The stories languidly work together, woven around a story within the story that they all share in some way. However, each story and POV is really well crafted on its own. There can be a bit of confusion in the construction, as the time periods and POVs do randomly switch from chapter to chapter, but the writing style is just beautiful and there is a lot of atmosphere tied into the narrative.

I was wholly immersed in this story and could not tear myself away from it. The writing evoked a lot of strong emotions from me and I felt very connected to the characters. Their stories were all so gripping and interesting. There is so much kindness and humanity tied up in these characters and I just loved them.

This is perfect for readers who love a blend of historical and literary fiction and who enjoy a complex story. It's a long read, but well worth the investment.

* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *