I was intrigued by the premise. I loved getting to know all of the characters and following them throughout their lives and discovering their secrets while watching how their relationships changed amongst each other within the family and discovering how even a minor decision can have fateful circumstances later in life. It makes one wonder how much we can change within our lives and how much we have control over (or DON'T have any control over, but think we do!). I do wish that the characters would have had some hope, some sliver of wanting to change what they thought was inevitable and maybe even finding some acceptance and happiness as they progressed. As a result, I sometimes found it slightly depressing and dreary to keep reading as I anticipated the next calamity that might befall the siblings.