A good friend of mine gave me this about a year ago. I started it but never finished. I can't see that I will bookcross it, seeing as it was a gift, but I thougt I would register it in case anyone would like to borrow it.

I like this book because it was classic. In the sense that this story appears to always have existed, you can't imagine a time when this story wasn't out there in the world. This, for me, is the 'golden thread' that ties all truly classic novels together.

I also like the symmetry - how it began with an uncivilised child and a civil 'prince' until their situations where somehow reversed. The philosophy was also clearly relayed and enabled the reader to formulate an opinion rather than force a perspective.

But it let itself down in the scenes of sexual promiscuity and through a couple of 'shock factor' situations. It wasn't that I was repulsed by them or don't think they should be in there. Quite the opposite, I felt that they weren't looked at closely enough. People's reactions were smoothed over rather than explored and I felt a little empty because of it.

This will go into the PC as there is a lovely dedication inscribed into it from my friend, but I may well buy one for release.