Sarcasm is an adjusted stress reaction.

And I'm a sucker, so I cried, even though I was also thinking, "This is so manipulative and also not very good."

lol, I had the exact same reaction, although not as conveniently timed.

I assumed a lot of the book's fans are aware of the evils of the British Empire (at least the praise I remember seemed to be), but are used to books that aren't -- I'm pleasantly surprised by anti-monarchy TV, but it's because I watch a lot of palace dramas and not because I'm shocked by the idea.