I have just finished this and I absolutely loved it. When it first arrived I was slightly worried I wouldn't read it in time as it was long-ish (not that long but with a small baby etc etc) but it was quite easy to read and was so interesting and full of different themes that I just wanted to sit and read it.
I loved all the social history elements - everything defined by sex, colour, class. I'd like to think we've come a long way but in some respects I suspect we haven't !
Also, the environmental stuff was v. interesting given how we think of it as a very modern issue. Interesting to read the note in the back about the level of water used nowadays and it not spoiling the natural look of the river/falls. On this note, the political issue of electricity as well - how in the US it was a commodity and so they didn't get it late rather than a public service as in Europe - which was what Sinclair was trying to do.
As for the story. It had a few good twists and turns - I didn't guess about grace's parentage (perhaps a bit naively so !) or about Speyer's murderer. Although it didn't feel like the main part of the story although obviously it all interlinked.
I did get confused by all the different 'men' - couldn't remember who was who. And so got a bit lost over the keeping the grain thing free - what was the point of that other than the time they took Millie there ?
Hmm. I think I might have more to say when Ive thought about it but all in all a great choice. I went straight to amazon when I'd finished only to find this book is about 10 years old and she hasn't written anything else. WHat a shame !