One of the saddest, funniest, most brutally honest books I ever read. The kind that stays with you for years after. Carson is both a mean and inspiring person and his witty voice could be that of an entire generation (if not a few generations) of kids who felt trapped in their 'small' realities. I read it while at university and it was the perfect timing for a book that encourages young people to believe in themselves and aim high. It went straight to my favourites shelf.