This story could have been happening now instead of 19 years ago. Harrowing. The author has an MA in Philosophy and a PhD in History; his erudition shines in this work. I loved his father as a child, glad to see he put his son through such a fine education. The theme of this tale speaks to us in the here and now, loud and urgently. There are few flaws in the writing, but I found that forgivable. I'm going to keep an eye put for other of his works for sure!