This is a rather fun, albeit confusing, romp into a late 18th century Gothic novel. If your thing is very detailed plots with spots of poetry, people who faint all over the place, characters whose identies keep changing, and the repetitive use of the word "melancholy", then this is the story for you. As a heads up, if you think that characters who have the same name will be a burden to your reading this book, then seek a person to tutor you through this merry tale of intrigue, nobels, and castles. Looking back on this tale, I found it took a little work to understand it all, but that my efforts were well rewarded by the book's conclusion. ( )