This book was well received by most of us, although not necessarily enjoyed, given the subject matter. The discussion was made lively because we didn't all share the same views. Most of us found it difficult to put down and were very invested in learning the outcome for each well-drawn character, or pair of characters. Although grim, it was a good read and there was some humour to relieve the horrors. Criticisms included that the author was too self-absorbed and revelling in the horror to create believable events and the narrow story needed context. Most of us felt that it was a competent and complex piece of writing for a young author's first work. Words used to describe the tale were: redemption, human
capacity to love and to hate; the difficulties of emancipation; racism; ignorance.