Recently I read this book for third time. I read someone's comment that this book is boring. Not at all for me. I like novels from this period in the history of England, including those by Thomas Hardy. No doubt that the generals atmosphere of it is very bleak. It has baffled many experts how a woman living in great seclusion with just her sisters and a brother could have imagined all the characters and events. She has built up each character beautifully.I would surely recommend book.