This is the sequel to "The Fifth Child" a very thought provoking, disturbing novel which I read many years ago. I was unaware that there was a sequel so I was pleasantly surprised to find this on some bookshelves at a folk festival. Ben is now eighteen and, isolated from his family, he relies on the kindness of strangers to cope with the world at large. Inevitably he ends up being exploited with sad consequences. I'm not sure if The author is simply telling a story or commenting on how society treats those who do not fit into the norms of social behaviour.