Dysfunctional: the Rick Langlais Story was one of the most powerful books I have ever read. I thought having met Rick a number of times and knowing a bit about his story before reading it would help it not hit so hard but boy was I wrong. I read this book in one sitting as I could not put it down and have lent it to many people to get Rick’s story out there. This is not a book for the weak at heart, Rick as gone through hell and back and yet still fights for the rights and freedoms of others!

Throughout the book Rick’s story unfolds, you learn about the layers of abuse that Rick endured throughout his life — you learn about why he does what he does to protect those who are most vulnerable in life. You begin to understand why Rick is willing to lay everything on the line to protect the kids of the core neighbourhood in Saskatoon. However, this book is NOT for the faint of heart, what Rick has had to face throughout his life is truly heartbreaking, and sadly is a reality for many individuals in this “safe” and “developed” country we call home. Rick brings light to a number of extremely important issues like abuse, poverty, addiction, and despair which many individuals face on a daily basis though it is not regularly talked about. Rick’s story is far to common, though it is generally pushed under the rug and ignored within society.

I do not feel as though I can rightfully give this book a numeral rating, it is raw, it is true and it is beautifully painful. It is a MUST read!