This story was amazingly touching. I read many books, but surprised even myself when I enjoyed it. You are amazed at how much the story drags you in and you feel for the boys who are in the middle of trials that decide the rest of their lives. The writings of the young men are amazing and show a world that many have no knowledge of. The story becomes all the more real when you learn that it was all based on real life. Salzman wrote the conversations from memory and used the actual writings of the boys.
This is book is not for the faint of heart, and it does include some bad language and adult content within conversation; both of these aspects make the book as real and touching as it is. Mark Salzman lives in Los Angeles and has written other successful novels, including Iron & Silk, The Soloist, and Lying Awake. He has received praise for all of his works and is continuing to teach the writing class and write more novels.
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