The Captain of All Pleasures

The setting feels so immersive; I wonder how much research went into capturing the era's social norms and customs. Did the author draw from personal knowledge or extensive historical sources?

His actions are intense and sometimes morally grey, which made me question whether he's a hero or an anti-hero. How did others interpret his motivations and growth?

The romance scenes are steamy but also layered with vulnerability. I'm curious about the process behind maintaining that balance without feeling gratuitous.