I’m not crying, you’re crying. When I first started reading this book, I didn’t expect to like it. But it drew me in, and by the end I was breathless with how the story unfolded. Schwab’s writing is melodious and enchanting, the plot a braid where every piece fits perfectly in its place, the characters rich and full of depth. I love the way Schwab envisions history — my own subject of deep interest, even though I’m a medievalist and this story traces the last 300 years. No spoilers, but I especially like the last few chapters of extended epilogue and how everything wraps itself together, a perfect ending for this precise story. Recommended.