this book , which i much enjoyed , says perhaps more about the un-named father of the central character than any one else . his presence looms large in almost every line . sometimes as himself and sometimes as the younger father of the young boy that glory , our heroine , attempts to save . the personalities are well drawn and the writing is well paced . it is a book written from the heart and the authors commitment to the message is evident in every line . for a first novel it shows a maturity that is sometimes shocking but never prurient. read it .