Nowadays, book stores are filled with books of redemption. Not so much in the sixties when this book was written in simple, clear and unapologetic language. Sands, a punk and petty criminal on the fast track to oblivion is "saved" by prison. Likely to die or kill on the streets if not arrested, Sands rehabilitation was so dramatic that he was released from a life sentence after less than three years. I read this many years ago and it has been mostly lost in the onrush of other books, but it has retained for me the power of love and hope to smooth out the cruel bent life often gives to our character.