Story is utterly compelling. The introduction grabs you, and while the plot slows somewhat after that, I had a hard time putting it down. Another aspect I enjoyed was the plethora of words I didn't know-- and thus the opportunity to look them up. This book skips between foci more than I wanted-- Winchester dwells a touch too long at times on the dictionary aspects of the thing, which, while interesting, is not quite as urgent as what is happening to the protagonists. Overall, a satisfying and enriching read. Recommended for anyone who enjoys reading about words, history, mental illness, and intrigue.