Otis (the main character) is a good person who cannot justify this senseless cruelty because of a persons colour or background or job and so extends a Samaritan like hand to those who would not have done the same for him. In this way the book manages to remain, in all its horror, optimistic about the nature of a kind soul in a world of suffering right until the very last word. Unfortunately there is an epilogue that absolutely shattered me.

On top of all the misery and loss that he observed - he always seemed to be an observer in his life - Otis also had to come to terms with his sexuality at a time when he was regarded by others, and himself, as a freak of nature. He often wonders why he is unable to perform for the woman he thinks he loves and puts it down to a powerful (wrongly called schizophrenic on the sleeve) character inside himself called Sally. He thinks that if he can only have sex with a woman without having to think about it then he will be a man and life will get better. This provides a stark reminder of just how alienated and frightening the world was for people like Otis who just could not even begin to comprehend that they are as pure and naturally human as any other in the world. His strength to keep on going and trying against this unwinnable battle is both inspirational and full of hopeless despair.

I think telling his story was, in the end, too much.

What a fantastic book. I am going to read it again this weekend and have the cry I had to hold off on the commuter train this morning.