I'm actually having a good time with the novel, although I'm usually a couple chapters behind what is being discussed. I once took a course on Victorian literature, so I'm doing some research as I read along and refreshing my memory on what some of the issues and events are during this time period. For example, I'm still trying to figure out what was meant by Francie's ditty being "almost prophetically imbued with the coming Imperial spirit."

I'm a bit of a sociologist (a very poor one!) at heart, and am finding Galsworthy's vision of Victorian society rather more removed from Jane Austen's time period (of which I'm slightly more familiar) than I had anticipated. It's hard to tell if it was due to the mirroring of what was happening with the royal family, Galsworthy's viewpoint as a male, or due to hindsight (I'm used to JA's different perspective, of course)--probably all of the above.

Anyway, I find myself reading very slowly because it feels like I am missing some of the nuances since I'm not up to speed on what was going on historically. The story is excellent. Galsworthy is doing a fantastic job with scene settings and tension building. I'm not sure where it's all going to lead, but it's captured my attention.