4.5 stars. I avoided reading this book for a long time and I can now vouch that this decision was a mistake. Though often controversial for a couple of scenes contained within it, this book is incredibly impactful and should be required reading. There is a lot to be examined here. The story was heart-breaking and reads completely like a memoir. It feels incredibly tangible, with intense relationships, human imperfections, and so much emotional mileage. The cultural angle is also incredibly wonderful, providing a lot of background for me that I previously hadn't fully understood both in a political and societal extent. An incredibly good and important read.