I picked up this book, knowing nothing about it, and was put off the first time I tried to read it by the constant "begin-again" format (think Groundhog Day, which I didn't particularly enjoy). However, after reading some reviews, I decided to give it another try. 
 While it was sometimes frustrating to have to restart the story after getting into a particular plot, it became oddly comforting that Ursula would have the chance to try it all again. I began to look forward to discovering which path her story would take, and how it would differ from her other lives. Most importantly, I cared about the characters, because I felt that I knew them so well from our multiple meetings. 
 I think everyone can relate to the "what ifs" of this book, and the central theme of several of the incarnations therein that we must bear witness to history. On the surface it is just a unique and interesting novel, but on a deeper level it begs the question of who will be the doers and who will be the witnesses in life - and what if we had another chance to change our roles?