A very well spun story that entertained and had me reflecting again and again about the options one faces in life, especially depending on circumstances acquired through unearned advantage. I understand when it was written, but the rampant sexism (present constantly although the women are fairly fleshed out characters), racism and imperialism were jarring (in particular the narrator’s perspective of Isabel, which reminded me of Lolita, without the acknowledgment that his perspective was sick).