I loved this book. It is beautifully-written and challenges you to think deeply about some very serious matters. It is not the kind of book you can read in a hurry, though. In fact, you will quickly loose your way if you do that. I know that I did more than once when I became anxious to know who the "mysterious stranger" was and what exactly he was up to. I had to turn back and reread slowly and found that when I did I noticed things that I hadn't before. At the end I still had some questions, in fact, and am now rereading the book to answer them - and it is even better the second time around. I do not think this is a book for everyone, though. Definitely not your pick-it-up and put-it-down and pick-it-up summer read. But if you love good writing and like to think deeply about serious things (like why people must suffer and why God is so often silent) then this is a book that you will probably enjoy. Different from anything I have ever read before, even by the same author. I highly recommend it.