I read this book because it was one of Bowie's 75 Books to Read Before You Die and thus was covered on the 75 Reads podcast. A lot of people rant and rave about this book, and after I started I heard of more than one person for whom this is their favorite book.

And yet.

It was well written, the language in the translation I read was evocative and beautiful. I got the story of the tragedy of being a monarch in an era that needs them less and less. It was a skilled book but I never really connected with it. I'm glad I read it but now that it is done, it will sink into my past reading without a ripple.