1. Catton follows a formula: number of words, planetary positions, structure of characters and layers of meta-fiction. Each and every character has their own personal agenda in place adding complexity to their character. Its their role in the story that makes them complex and not what their agency is. Everything they do and act have a meaning behind it which brings me to the next point. 
 2. There is a psychological dynamic in place - understanding current happenstance with the characters requires understanding of their past, their association with other characters and the eventual action that has brought them into current predicament. The shifting point of views provides a great insight into the mind of these characters but Catton holds back the thought process these characters undergo making the entire experience cold and detached. 
 3. The book is truly wonderful in the way it reads. There is nothing unnecessary in the narration. In fact if there is belaboring a point, then it only means its really important for the reader to remember. 
 The story is structured as a puzzle with the characters and their pasts acting like pieces of this puzzle. When characters exist to serve a purpose - in this case, Catton's intricate narrative, they become paper figurines. Through the course of story, they get moved around like the pieces that they are making movement of plot a tedious chore. 
 4. Writing is fantastic. Catton's narrative technique is stylish, throws in heavily implied metaphors, switches perspective smoothly and delivers punches without holding back. Every word exists because its carefully chosen and is arranged in such a way. The choice of characters is well thought of, meticulously planned and their interaction is executed with calculated efficiency. Every interaction is precise and the conversations revealing exactly what is needed in the on going context of the plot. 
 5. Reading Victorian setting outside England is fascinating. It is obvious the amount of research that has gone into this in the way Catton alludes to contemporary history, geopolitics and local culture. Though they don't influence the story progression, they offer completeness to the story. 
 The astrological bit is quite fun and I was surprised at the amount of literature found online with respect to that. 
 6. Having said that, this book doesn't have any emotion. Cattton obsessively fusses over word arrangement. As a reader, I didn't have any job to look any further or deeper because Catton was giving me everything that's needed from literature. She provides a context, explains it, gives multiple perspectives on it and even offers narrator's (also a character) point of view. Its funny 
 how the characters try to take a moral stand by defending their actions since all they seem to do is thwarting competition and make more money. When I reached the end, I cheered with the same exhilaration when you come at the end of proof of theorem. All variables are in their right place, the result is exactly how you want them to be and there is nothing more to be said. Its both happy and sad. 
 The book is long, yes. But the experience is quite unique. If you love puzzles, have a stomach for convoluted dialogues and an obsessively perfect structured writing - give this a shot. 
 Or just read it because its really well written and keeps tickling your curious muscle.