This novel is beautiful in so many ways: the language, the imagery, the story arc, life and death. Set in Victorian times, in so many ways it is Victorian in style. Relationships are not as defined as we sometimes want them to be in this modern day. The line between romantic and non-romantic love is blurred. Parents don't necessarily love their children before all others. And going for long walks is good for the soul as well as the body. 
 I don't want to write about the plot here, but if the above is at all appealing, read this novel.