This is a book that delves into the darker side of human nature and the potential that each of us has to harm those around us. I read it in high school and again after college. It is very compellingly written and makes one ponder the evil in one's own heart. It also made me think about how powerful that evil is. Unleashed for one moment, there is the power in me to destroy or unchangeably alter the life of another human being. God help us all. 
 I also liked the whole process of confession and forgiveness he goes through in the later part of the book. It portrays that often, the biggest obstacle to freedom from our sin is our own unwillingness to seek confession and forgiveness and allow others to absolve us. Of course, this process also plays out in our relationship with God. After all He has done to make a way for us through Christ, we still refuse to come, humble ourselves to confess, and seek His forgiveness. 
 Because the book is set in a boys prep school and all the characters are young men, this would be a good book for young men.