Every few pages brings another basic question of life as observed through the eyes of a child rapidly gaining life experiences without enough life experiences to put them in perspective. Fundamental questions of purpose, existence, reason, are brought to the forefront with each new act of brutality. The simple, direct style adds to the impact of the story's events. Use of metaphor is expert and something I began to see as a treat with each new encounter. It is a book I plan to reread, but not too soon. The emotional cost of reading it, if you allow yourself to invest in it, is high. I approached it too lightly at first and felt myself cringing with the repeated acts of violence.