Hesse is a skillful writer, weaving a tale that's half memoir, half political commentary. It's a terrifying picture of growing up the product of roigious and family trauma, mental illness, and substance abuse. While I hope the book was cathartic for him to write, I am reminded of my songwriter friend who says you should write about your scars, not your wounds. I hope that Hesse continues to find healing from his wounds, but I think a memoir with some more distance would (will?) be more effective.