I found this book to be very engaging, although it reminded me a lot of a tv show that used to air on abc. Same premise... the prodigal son returns back to his small hometown after crucifying them in his novel. So, that was a little hard to get past. Maybe the tv show was based on this book, I don't know.
Anyway, the characters were compelling and the transformation that the main character goes through when he revisits his past makes me think about my own paast and question whether or not shutting out my own history is a mistake. Maybe reconnecting with people who knew me way back when could be a good thing.