I first picked up this book because it was recommended to me and honestly I didn't really connect with this book. I just feel the pace is really slow, stretched out and the writing is written in a oldish British way(to be fair it is fitting with the setting in which the novel is set in) but I just can't, not to mention the confusing time lines. I find this book a bit of a bore as it's depressing and repetitive, though if your thinking of buying this one there's a a lot of triggers regarding abuse, rape, homophobia, addiction, poverty, etc. An overall difficult heart wrenching read.