This book touched my heart. Very few have done that, one other being Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela.
Victorian England was a harsh place. Reminds me of modern day Rio De Janeiro or someplace similar. Merrick had an uphill struggle to carve out a place for himself of peace and quiet in this world. And he did it.
I was most impressed with Merrick's irrepressible spirit, his child-like optimism, the way he never seemed to bare grudges and his love of beauty, friendship and all that is good in the world. it seems to be proven true again in the life of Merrick that pain and suffering have a way of preserving and healing the soul. This would be the view of the Orthodox Church. Creative Suffering and the Wounded Healer: Analytical Psychology and Orthodox Christian Theology.
I was very impressed with the fact that Merrick towards the end of his life sought to return to his Creator. He sought out the Anglican Hospital chaplain, was catechized, baptized and received into the Anglican church, of which he remained a faithful member until his death.
The style of the book may be a little dated and not quite as P.C. as we would like with our 21st century ideologies, but it will not fail to move you I'm sure, as it did me.
BTW: please read the book before you watch the movie if you can. the book is much better and truer to the facts.
