David W. Elliott

This book didn't have much of a plot; it was very episodic and not much was explained, which was frustrating. Much of what occurs in the story will horrify people. The protagonist is a 14-year-old boy who is, for unclear reasons, in a mental hospital. (The only explanation he gives is "My foster parents didn't want me anymore.") There are 1500 patients and, I think, about 18 doctors, which may explain why this kid never gets anything resembling psychiatric treatment for whatever's wrong with him, and why one of his roommates dies slowly and painfully from some mysterious illness for which he apparently gets no care. The hospital staff and some of the patients physically and sexually abuse the boy, altering his age in the records so he can be placed in an adult ward. He just drifts along until he is released, just as suddenly and inexplicably as he was admitted.

If anything, the book is worth reading for its beautiful, poetic language. The kind of words and similes that you want to roll around inside your head and savor. That's what made me go to the library to get the prequel to the story. I can only hope the second book has substance as well as style.… (plus d'informations)