Mike Henn

Overall I found it touching and worthwhile. That said, it was a struggle to keep at it for the first half or so. But it came together at the end. There are too many characters and a bit of a strained effort to make some seem folksy and cute. It suffered from hyperbole in descriptions, and improbable coincidences. Nevertheless, the conclusion was tense and emotional. But its moral lessons were questionable. One might conclude that murdering bad people and getting away with it was acceptable vigilante justice. Many might think that a male attendent in a state hospital who rapes little boys should be murdered for his sins, never mind the court system, judges and juries.

Oddly interesting, but well short of great. It's so improbable in the occurrences that I'd consider it more of a parable than an attempt for credibility. The principal character is allowed to create her own legal system, ignoring that which actually prevails. The foolishness of astrology is made to seem credible. In a modern well regulated European nation she is presented as being able to wander all over the landscape unrestrained like the Wild West. Her fanaticism for animal rights and vegetarianism are defended, meaning the author is likeminded. It is full of surprises and wacky characters. I don't think I would want to read another book by this author.