3.5 stars

I’m surprised that this novel was written in such an accessible way for being written before 1900. And it wasn’t overly long, like Dickens and Dumas. It does have some racism, but it is of its time.

The story is also pretty straightforward about a dentist involving jealousy, greed, and murder. It seemed a bit ahead of its time, and I liked that.

If I had read it when it was published, I’m sure I’d give it a higher rating than I do now. While it was enjoyable and I didn’t struggle reading it as much as I thought I would, it wasn’t a standout compared to the other books I have been reading.