This is Historical Fiction at its best! I rarely enjoy historical fiction anymore because so few authors pay attention to the actual mindset of the times and often end up pasting 21st century sentiments into a historical context where they are very clearly out if place. Bell, on the other hand is a true master! Her execution is absolutely sublime! With her eye for history and context, she is able to highlight exactly how much has changed in the past two centuries and allows the reader the opportunity to see why things have changed. This is, truly, historical fiction at its very best.
Another thing I've thoroughly enjoyed about this book is the brilliant illustration of the thesis "everything is sex". There are different philosophical explanations about the workings of life, and this is the thesis of one stream of thought. Bell shows beautifully how this idea might have come about. Although I personally don't believe that is the essence of human existence, I am aware it does play an important part and am truly in awe of how well Bell has illustrated the postulation through the myriad intertwining of themes through generations of characters in this book.
Necessary Sins really is a masterpiece! Highly recommend.
