The guy can write, no denying that. The book follows the classic historical fiction arc of family events being dimly influenced by the society simmering with uncertainty in the background. Eventually, everything comes to a head and conflict forces characters to deal with what they have been trying to ignore when they can no longer separate their lives from the surrounding politics. The twists, surprises and eventual connecting of various narrative lines and well-constructed and the literary architecture of the book is undeniable.
However, I can't give it more than three stars because the characters didn't breathe for me. The main character is a collection of traits seemingly put together to create a flawed anti-hero. The secondary characters are mostly narrative vehicles rather than living beings, with the exception of the venomous first wife whose appearances are always highlights. It's not terrible but neither is it hugely compelling. It's worth reading if you're interested in the author or the various components of the story but I wouldn't enthusiastically recommend it to others.