I loved the book and was completely absorbed by it; just couldn't put it down. I do think it was far too long and should have been edited and pruned. I grew to love Edgar and kept hoping, really expecting, that his travails would lead to some sense of closure. We all know that evil does exist in this world, and even in "Othello" Shakespeare makes sure that Iago is undone. I felt cheated by the ending with no resolution of anything, really. Why was Forte in the book, for example? Then I began to think about it and realized that if we live in a world where God does not exist; the only thing we really have is each other. We all have to do what we can to help the powerless. It that what the author is saying? Or is he simply saying that life just is really awful for some people?