Even with all the hype, this book was even better and *more* than I expected. It’s about Ireland and homophobia and one man’s life but it is also about the human experience and self-acceptance and love and forgiveness and growth and compassion. It is both wholly heart shattering and heart warming, with a dry humor that made me laugh out loud, and connections that gave me goosebumps. In the end, Cyril Avery felt like a true friend, flaws and all, and I didn’t want to leave him. All the love for this treasure of a book that will certainly be one of my favorites of the year.