Having just finished the book...
... I am now watching this.
I have to say I am very disappointed! Don't want to give spoilers, but why did they mess with the storylines so much? It was a fine book that didn't deserve (or need) that.
I mean, condensing smaller details in order to do a miniseries is understandable, but they changed key parts, such as the dinner for the Emperor of China, which was pivotal for all that came afterwards?
Why, why, why? A rare misstep for the BBC.