WOW, what a book.

As a youth many of my friends were required to read this book in English classes. For some reason I always got around it. After recently reading this book I am sorry it took me so long to pick it up. I chose to read the unabridged version.

The reading is old English and is hard to follow at some points. With over 500 pages it can take awhile to get through it all. There are chapters that go into great detail about the structural designs of the time or the people and culture. These chapters have little to do with the actual story but they are very informational. It does help the reader create a better perception of the time that book takes place.

My only idea of what to expect was the Disney interpretation. I was surprised at how much more there was to the story and how much Disney had changed the story to make it more for children. This is not a story that I would recommend for children. There is many complicated adult issues that are addressed in this book. It does not end the same as the wonderful Disney version as well. I cried at the end.

If you have not read this book, I strongly suggest it. This is a classic with a timeless message of human behavior.