One of my absolute favourites - primarily for the ending, which I consistently find to be a real tearjerker. It's the three handmaidens that get to me the most, poor pitiful things that they are.

I remember when I first read this book, years ago now, I spent a lot of time laughing at it. And fair's fair: it's a funny book. But the more I read it the more I appreciate the essential sadness of the story, and of pretty much all the characters. It's a comedy that ends well, but it's the unhappiness that gives it heart I think.