Rating system, 5-superior, 4-really enjoyed, 3-OK, 2-waste of time, 1-waste of paper. 
 This was a good compliment to 
 The Master and Margarita which my book club is reading. It helps recreate in the reader (view spoiler)[ the intense paranoia and fear, and the nonsensical nature of who could wind up condemned (hide spoiler)] Stalin's rule imposed on the Soviet Union during the years Bugalev was writing. Very powerful writing. The author doesn't lecture you but tells a story and leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions. 
 I don't think I will order it, however, for my elementary school because 
 (view spoiler)[ at the end we are left with no hope for the future, other than what is implied by the author having survived to dedicate the book to his father, and that may be a little oblique for many kids. I think it is a very valuable read for well off privileged kids to vicariously experience despair, but over half of my students live in poverty, many in danger of inadequate nutrition. Anyone who has had to deal with the regulations designed to punish those who need to use food stamps already understand a great deal about arbitrary government rulings that affect your personal wellbeing, and don't need to read a book to understand hopelessness. And if you disagree with me, click on this link and begin to educate yourself, because if you haven't been desperately poor, you don't have any idea. http://lifehacker.com/being-poor-is-t... (hide spoiler)]