One of the strongest books by V. P. Krapivin about the difficult yet captivating fate of a boy named Kintel. Through the story of an ordinary teenager, the author shows the many-sidedness and contradictions of modern life. As you read, you become ever more aware of how important it is to remain kind, to be attentive to others, and not to lose your humanity in a world where warmth and compassion are so often lacking.