My mother got me into this book when I was younger, she was reading it as part of one of Oprah’s Book Club and she read me a couple passages. so when I found myself in the hole in one of New Brunswick, Canada’s Regional Correctional Centres I was happy to have it in there to finally be able to read it front to back, it definitely talks about some serious things, and aside from it being a semi-fictional novel, it’s an awesome book! great story! and a must read!